The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation

 
  You are visitor number
         
 
 Survey Results   See downloads for: Adobe Files


The following responses have been posted regarding the post marketing survey request found on the home page.  All identifiers have been removed to assure the privacy of those responding:

ISP location: Glen Rock, NJ Sep 19, 2006      my wife was schedule for SDS to remove her gall bladder. as part of the pre-op procedure, she received an intravenous drip of levaquin. approximately 1 minute after the IV was inserted, she went into anaphylatic shock.

ISP location: AOL Sep 26, 2006      I started using Cipro ear drops since having tubes put in my ear drums as a treatment of Meniere's Symdrome. I have since developed a severe case of calcific tendonitis in my right should. This was diagnosed from an x-ray. I have been treated with lidocain and steroid injections. How do I find out if Missouri is part of the class action lawsuit?

ISP location: Cedar City, UT Tuesday Oct 17, 2006     In the past 18 months I have been prescribed, and taken, 8 cycles of Cipro for recurring UTI's. I now have ruptured tendons and ligaments in my left elbow, left flank, outer aspect of left foot, right knee and right ankle. I am in constant pain. I have never experienced prior instances of ligament and tendon rupture. Is there a class action suit pending with such complaints as a part of the suit? Is Utah included in the suit?

ISP location: Broomfield, CO Jul 18, 2006      The medical community won't admit it, but cipro is poison. It's given me a permanent anxiety/panic disorder which I now have to take medication for. Email me for more information LizSchneider4@hotmail.com .

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. rantsey

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) PCP

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:  tendonitus started in right thumb, moved to elbow, then to shoulder.  I have seen PCP, Orthopedics, Sport Medicine Doctor and have MRI, Z-Rays, etc....  I have been diagnosed as having tendonitus and now frozen shoulder - since 2 cortizone shots did not help, I have been going to PT for months!!!!!  I don't know how much longer I will have to continue with PT, but it is costing me a fortune!!!

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: I just learned about the relationship between Levaquin and shoulder pain - I have not yet discussed with her. I did discuss with my PT and he thought it was "interesting."

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? PCP - N/A.  PT - did not seem to be aware.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? N/A

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? Just what was on the pharmacy print out, simple nauseau, etc....

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? I do not remember.  She is very thorough and does share with me honestly so I would feel safe in assuming she shared what she was advised of.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? No - I think it was for a simple bronchial/sinus issue

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? No

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?  I think it was for a simple bronchial/sinus issue

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? Yes, I did.  I remember thinking this was a "kisck a**" drug and I really liked how it took care of my problem at hand.  Little did I know that the pain thereafter was also probably from the use of this......

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? I was trying to find a massage therapist and was researching the muscle in your back/shoulder so I could identify for them where my pain was - better than saying I have shoulder pain....

15. What made you log unto the site? Researching what others have already learned, other people;s reactions to this medicine, if they found what would make them feel better.....

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? I think that what I found has educated me.  Since there was no injury to my shoulder or thumb, it was difficult for me to understand why I would just wake up one day and have limitations on movement.....

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:  i feel that if this many people have health concerns that they know for a fact (and some are keeping a diary of how they feel) are caused from use of these medicines, more action needs to take place to remove or AT LEAST better educate our physicians that are prescribing it. I have read postings from 2 people who swear by it and I know that it worked on my health concern at the time.  I am confident that this would still benefit certain people with certain health concerns...but we need to educate those prescribing it so it can be prescribed more responsibly. 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. MustBanThePoisinLisa

2. Drug prescribed:  Leviquin 750 MGS - 2nd Round Damaging

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) ENT

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Too many to remember; one is memory loss- cannot remember short term simple tasks, swollen eye lids, headaches, metal taste in mouth, at first couldn't eat chicken or eggs would onset symptoms- possibly due to antibotics in chicken feed?, hallicination - saw water drip on me from the ceiling and felt it hit my lip -there was no water dripping, naseaus, dizzy, bedridden early on with extreme joint pain which hit my entire body within the 1st 24 hours of the second round of Leviquin this time 750 MGS for psuedomonea bacteria present after acquired by the surgeon in the operating room of a sinus surgery to help me breath better.  Still dealing with extreme pain in my right elbow, and pain in the bottoms of both of my feet over a year later.  Cortezone shot did not help, only for 2 weeks and became worse w/pain.  Resorting now to therapy which is helping some, only can hope for total recovery. Aged 15 years... used to look young for my age - now I look and feel old.  No immune system left- a cold turns to sinusitus and pneumonia.  Depression and no patience, my happy deameanor has turned to a bad mood.  feeling of pressure in head and lightheadedness, nausea while on the medicine and panic strictened about what the heck was happening to me- Use to be active and in good shape... gained 15- 20 pounds and cannot enjoy life or do much.  After taking the medicine w/in 24 hours it felt like my brain was swelling out of my head and I had extreme headache... I thought I was going to die.  I laid on the couch and took some tylonel and hoped I would live.  About a hour passed and the headache & pressure started to ease and then instantly joint pain took over my entire body.  The poisin must have hit!  I continued on the medicine for nearly 17 more days... poisoning my symptom even more...thinking the fevers and side affects were part of my sickness and not the leviquin making me feel worse, day by day. Went to see the Dr (ENT) during that time and he gave me samples to make sure I killed the pseudomonea bacteria he gave me in the operating room; along w/the CSF leak he gave me too.  

 Not only did I have swelling in my joints but I had swelling in my jaw which led me to the ER at hospital w/ excrutiating pain.  ER gave me pain pills and sent me home.  Next day I had to have an extraction to relieve the pressure and intense pain.  I have a CSF leak from the surgery itself which is enough to deal with.  These side affects are horrible and seem to be everlasting.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:  ENT gave me more leviquin - other Dr's I've now been told acknowledge joint damage caused by the "quins"

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? NO way -

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? No seemed dumb founded; like I was crazy but he didn't was to shake my hand after a few visits because he knew I had something bad going on ... I looked terrible.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? NONE

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No, he didn't even tell me the risk of a CSF leak prior to surgery let alone the drug risk.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? no

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?Yes

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? pseudomonea bacteria

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? I think a safer drug would have combated what was going on ... there wasn't need for the drug that conquers anthrax to be prescribed to me in high doses- not too mention the dangers associated w/this one.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? web searching for others and answers and HELP

15. What made you log unto the site?  I want to get better !! I want to be just ME again... the person God intended me to be before I realied on the medical field.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? YES, not inspiring of getting the help or financial backing I need to survive, but atleast I know I'm not alone,... now I just ache for the others that have taken this life destroying drug and others who are taking it as you read this... this MUST STOP NOW>

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:  PLS warn everyone about the dangers of "quin" it should be used only to SAVE A life as a last resort on a death bed pill... not too ruin the life of people who could have had another safer option.  I hope someone can help us... help all of us who suffer from this unending nightmare!  If I could I certainly would.  Any helpful information pls advise:  lmc@twcny.rr.com  I would be certain to pass it on to others.  Thank you for reading.

 I am a 46 year old woman who took Noroxin a year ago for a UTI since then I have had facial numbness on the left side, MRI's Ct's etc cannot find cause, I also developed toxic hepatitis diagnozed by three specialists and still have lfts three times the normal limit. Are their any australians taking legal action or class actions, is there an australian support group? I hope you can help, my life changed the day I took Noroxin.
Elizabeth

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. Sun123

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) ER Dr

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: 5th day near suicidal, 10th day severe tendonitis in left elbow, shortly after right leg sciatica, now both legs have sciatica and I have since been diagnosed with L4-L5 stenosis but had no symptoms prior to the Levaquin. 6 drs have told me I am very young to have such an advanced degenerative state and are puzzle that I didn’t feel the symptoms coming on gradually.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:
(1st primary dr): Elbow tendonitis was probably from Levaquin, sciatica probably not, no further advise.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? 
No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?
She said tendonitis was probably from Levaquin, sciatica probably not, no further advise.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? NO

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?  NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? NO

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?  Chest X-ray for pneumonia

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? for pneumonia

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? Yes, all pneumonia symptoms went away quickly

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? A search for “living with lumbar stenosis” led me to a site that led me here.

15. What made you log unto the site? I want to get the word out to others, this has destroyed my life.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: I took Levaquin in May and now it is September and my life hasn’t been the same since. I just want to find out if the Levaquin is really responsible for all the changes I’ve gone through. I used to be very active, now I can barely get through my day at work.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. joey

2. Drug prescribed: Avelox

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) general practitioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: burning, tingling pain in arms and somewhta in legs, muscle spasms, light headeness and feeling of pressure in head, muskoskeletal pain,

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: Physician seemed indifferent about this, not really concerned, almost like I was making this up.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? No

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? no, for a sinus infection

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? No

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? sinus infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? not sure, sinus infection cleared up but not sure if it was due to the drug

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? searched my symptoms

15. What made you log unto the site? hoping to find an answer

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
 


1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.) Mary

2. Drug prescribed: Cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) ER Dr.

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Accelerated heart rate, nausea

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: A different ER Dr. and my primary care physician performed EKGs and the primary put me on a 24-hour heart monitor

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? No. I pointed it out when I returned the Holt monitor back to the primary

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? I spoke to the Nurse, yes, she agreed it was possible

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? Not yet

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? I don’t think so, it was prescribed for pseudomonas on my arm

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? yes

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? For the pseudomonas

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? I initially was prescribed Bactrim & Duracef, which seemed to be clearing the infection, but when the culture came back, the original dr. wanted me to switch to Cipro.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Yahoo search under “Cipro side effects”

15. What made you log unto the site? Answers to my symptoms and how long I can expect them to last

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
 


I was treated for UTI this spring with Cipro. I developed chills and flu-like symptoms, but thought it was from the UTI. I also got severe chest pressure and neck tightness. I went to the family MD's and saw a nurse practioner for UTI problems. When I tried to explain about the shaking problems (shaking from head to foot especially when lying horizontally), the NP said, "I don't have time to listen to all this in a 20 minute visit). She called the pharmacy to confirm that they had Rx'd the 500 mg and not the original 250 mg dose that they called in, then the nurse told me that the urinalysis did not show UTI (I had already taken the Cipro for about 5 days), and she told me that the Avelox that the ENT physician had Rx'd to take after I finished the Cipro would take care of any remaining germs that the Cipro didn't get.

My ENT MD gave me a Rx for Avelox to get filled and start for a sinusitus if I still had symptoms after the Cipro was finished. Since my ear was still hurting, I started the Avelox after I finished Cipro. My ear pain improved some, but the shaking and flu-symptoms worsened to the point I could not continue my college courses. I went to the ENT doctor who offered me some tranquilizer (Xanax), but I told him that the problem was physiologic and not related to anxiety. He suggested I try to stop the Avelox and see if it helped, so I did.

The day I stopped the Avelox, the SEVERE shaking went away. I took Omnicef for the tonsilitis and referred ear pain/sinusitus that helped prior to my tonsillectomy.

I would like to add that I was also taking Plaquinil 400 mg /day when I took the cipro and also the AVElox. I had previously taken Cipro and Avelox without difficulty, until I took them in combination with the Plaquinil (Hydroxychloroquine).

I think the FDA should be aware of these side -effects. It was very scary.
Catherine C.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. CJ

2. Drug prescribed: 250 mg of Cipro 2 x per day for 5 days, 500 mg of Cipro 2 x day for 7 days

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) 250 mg Cipro by a physicians assistant at an urgent care center for a bladder infection, 500 mg Cipro by an internist for a supposed kidney infection

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: numbness and weakness in arms and legs, insomnia, extreme fatigue, muscle pains, dizziness

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: The internist asked if I was having a panic attack.  I've never had a panic attack in my life.  I'm 38.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? no

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? They said that it was perhaps too strong for my weight and size- 110 lbs.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? drink alot of water and rest, advil for the muscle tension/pains

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? no

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? not sure, I had a bladder infection

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? urine test was done to see if I had a kidney infection; they said it was inconclusive because I had been taking the 250 mg cipro the week prior, but gave me the stronger 500 mg dose anyway

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? bladder infection and supposed kidney infection which I don't think I had

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? bladder infection resolved

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? from by googling and getting to Dr. Jay Cohen's medication sense letter.

15. What made you log unto the site? search to find out what was going on

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? tremendous.  I am relieved to know what is happening, but I have a great deal of trededation about how long my muscle weakness and heaviness will last in my arms and legs.  I've had it for 2 weeks.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: Why hasn't some tv show caught on to this?  Where are the investigative journal programs like 60 minutes, 48 hours?  Why hasn't more been written and more people been told?

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. Tazsgto

2. Drug prescribed:  Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) General Practitioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:  Severe joint pain and swelling, muscle weakness and pain, severe pain in rotator cuff to the point I couldn’t sit walk or lay down to relieve the pain.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:  Yes, it is probably a reaction to the Levaquin although I have never seen it before (other than a rash). I felt like he thought I was just being a crybaby pest. He told me to take Tylenol.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?No he did not.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?No he was not.

8. Were you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?  I was given no warnings, only it was a great drug and it would get rid of my sinus infection.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? Not that I am aware of.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? No

12.What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Sinus infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? Yes, it did clear up my stubborn sinus infection.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Drugvictims.org

15. What made you log unto the site?I want to see how other people cope with the continuing pain.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes, it was of some help.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: I am disgusted with the medical profession, I asked my doctor how long my pain would last and he just said, I don’t know. I emailed the pharmaceutical copy and asked the same thing. The said they couldn’t tell me, I have to ask my doctor. What a run around. I am fed up.
 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.  Scaredtodeath

2. Drug prescribed:  Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)  D.O.

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: 

Severe pain in bottoms of feet (tendons), Severe pain in my thighs, Severe jerking when falling asleep, Stiffness in knees and calves, Pain in my neck and shoulders, Twitches ALL OVER my body, Muscle weakness in arms and hands and fingers, Tingling and numbness in hands and feet, Burning skin, Burning, tired eyes, blurry eyes, Ringing in ears, Joints popping and clicking whenever I move, Noise Sensitivity, Floaters, bright flashing lights, Pain in the base of my spin, Weight loss, Severe stomach/gastro problems, Pain in achilles tendons and pain in shin tendons, Hives/Rashes, Pain in ribs and breastbone, Severe insomnia, Cold feet, buzzing in feet, severe anxiety, panic attacks, racing thoughts, thoughts of suicide, diarrhea. 

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:  Yes, it is probably a reaction to the Levaquin although I have never seen it before (other than a rash).  He's sorry that I am going through this

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?  None, other than a rash.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?  Yes

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?  No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?  No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?  Prescribed for a sinus infection.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?  No

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?  Sinus infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?  No

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?  I can't remember

15. What made you log unto the site?  Trying to find a cure

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?  Yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:  God, I hope there is something that can be done for this soon.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other
identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.
bizibeth

2. Drug prescribed: levaquin and previously cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example,
internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency
room physician, surgeon, etc.)  internist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this
drug:
sudden severe bilateral tendonosis in achilles tendons
and forearms lasting for over a year.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge
concerning the adverse reactions associated with the
fluoroquinolones?  NO

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug
could possibly be responsible?  subsequently went to a
different doctor, rheumatologist, who acknowledges
that quinolones can cause tendon damage.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects
you may experience?  NO

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit
discussion prior to prescribing the drug?  NO.  Her
only comment was "This is a great antibiotic."

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use
(meaning NOT an approved use)?

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence
of a bacterial infection?  not before prescibing the
drug.  A test was done in the office and I was told to
start taking Levaquin immediately.  A week later I
received a letter from the doctor stating that there
was no infection.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?  suspected
bladder infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this
drug?  No

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?  from yahoo
quinolones message board

15. What made you log unto the site?

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.
Andy

2. Drug prescribed:
Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)
ER DOCTOR

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:
MUSCLE PAIN IN RIGHT SHOULDER, DIZZINESS, STOMACH HURTS, CLOUDINESS, BOUTS OF HOT/COLD.  TIREDNESS.  INSOMNIA.

5. Physician's reaction to your concerns:
HAVEN'T GONE BACK YET.  WILL SOON.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?
NO

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?
NOT THIS MANY.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?
NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?
YES.  CHEST XRAY.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?
PNEUMONIA

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?
FEVER WENT AWAY, FELT GOOD FOR A FEW DAYS.  BUT STARTED TO FEEL WORSE.  FEVER STAYED AWAY. BUT STOMACH HURT AGAIN, AND I GOT MORE TIRED EASILY.  

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?

15. What made you log unto the site?
CONCERNS ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?
YES

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.
GMT4849

2. Drug prescribed:
Know idea

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)
Do not know

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:
Over the past year or so I have lost an incredible amount of fitness, torn tendons in my shoulder and knee, unusual tiredness (I use to work long hours into the evening on the computer but can not longer do this) and lethargy (I us to be very proactive but I don't seem to care like I once did).

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:
Saw new physician and while he was entering my details and before he asked why I was there he asked what med's I wanted. He then excluded all other symptoms during the examination and only treated the obvious rash around my groin. He did not know what it was and prescribed a 1% cortisone cream. The rash, body itching and little lumps are slowly clearing. I feel more mentally active. I was particularly red and blotchy and my neck was red and looked very wringled and old. This might not be a reaction to fluoroquinolones but my range of symptoms seem quiet consistent with the mentioned side effects.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?
I do not know yet if it is flouroquinolones therapy but this is the closest I have got to covering the symptoms I have.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?
I doubt it.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?
Never have been before.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?
I have never experienced this from a doctor

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?
Probably, I do not know of a condition where I have needed it flouroquinolones therapy.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?
No, never

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?
Not sure still looking for the source

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?
Not sure

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?
Typed "Dark Stools and Itchy Skin" into Wikipeadea which lead to flouroquinolones therapy as a possiblity and then searched for flouroquinolones therapy.

15. What made you log unto the site?
Same as 14. above

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?
Extremely, I will now try to find if I have been exposed to flouroquinolones therapy. Is there a test?

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
I am shocked and horrified by the medical profession in New Zealand. There seems to be a information less drug pushing culture. Even when I have asked for the side effect sheet for a medication I have been told that it is not available and that I shouldn't read it of I might think I have a side effect. This is a common theme for most people I have spoken to. 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

2. Drug prescribed: Avelox

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) General Practioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Lower back pain, wooziness/light headed, headaches, and general weakness.

5. Physician's reaction to your concerns: Sent me to a speacialist-rheumatologist

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? He stated it might be possible.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? No

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? Blood work

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Sore throat

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? None

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Research

15. What made you log unto the site? Find out how long I'll be a victim of these side effects

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Just started looking

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: Initial blood work found a dozen areas to be extremely high, putting the liver in high distress. Additional tests are being conducted to see what other problems this has caused.
 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. Sirin

2. Drug prescribed: Cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) general practiotioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Deterioration of the hip joint. Deterioration of spine, especially lower vertebrae. Chronic inflammation of joints in the pelvic/hip area, problems with ovary next to that hip, ripped tendon in the hip. Pain is constant. Lack of mobility. Fatigue.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: Four doctors dismissed all of my pain and side-effects as non-related to Cipro, however, they were unable to cure them either. Few years later, one of the doctors admitted that it was a very bad drug not to be taken ever again and apologized for being misinformed by the industry's misleading data of fluoroquinolones' TRUE amount and severity of side effects.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? None in 2001 when it was prescribed and popular.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? One out of four did in 2004.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? No.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? Yes.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? For perpetually repeating UITs for few years.

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? At the first two times being taken for only 3 days, yes, it stopped the UTI. However, when it was prescribed for two weeks, it did the irrepairable damage to joints, tendons, ovary and spine. I had a ripped tendon in my hip, severe inflammation of my lymph nodes in groin, i still suffer form chronic inflammation of my hip joints and back pain that led to deterioration of the spine and a bone of the hip joint that will require a hip transplant, at the same time I developed problems with my ovaries that still cause occassional bleedings and pains. Full blown side-effects became devastating after taking Cipro for 10 days. Afterwards, I was unable to get up, sit, walk, stand, drive, or fall asleep for more than 4 months without experiencing an excruciating pain; pain was 24/7 as if I had have a slipped disk. None of doctors could help, they either dismissed Cipro as a cuprit (althoug, itwas obvious), totally ignored my suffering or asked me if I was a worrier by character. Worst outcome followed, UTI came back. Nephrologist and urologist told me that I can survive only by taking more daily anti-biotics to the rest of my life to avoid possible kidney inflammation or renal failure as a result. By this time, I have lost all my trust and confidence in medical professionals and pharmaceutical industry, and I decided to defy them all - it was my life, my body, and my health given to me by God to live a productive happy life, and not to be a Guinnea pig in the money-making machine of irresponsible industries. I seeked help in alternative medicine, and it helped. I still have pain to some degree, deterioration is still in process, hip still has many problems and I cannot do many things I used to, but I do not take any daily anti-biotics, UTIs have not returned for 5 years, I can walk, move, sleep well and be productive. Strangely, when I was a living proof that the alternative way worked and offered my information to doctors how to cure millions of women suffering from UTIs, none of them cared to even listen. They are evidently in the wrong profession. Even out of professional curiosity, no one cared. What about Hippocratic Oath?!

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Since my claims of Cipro's side-effects were dismissed by all doctors as non-related, I kept checking Internet for more stories like mine from other sufferers as I was sure they will show up eventually as times goes.

15. What made you log unto the site? I am writing a term paper on abuse of new potent anti-biotics and a lack of their side effects research by a neutral federal agency before their approval by FDA.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes, I am not an army of one soldier to prove the truth.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: What causes the continous inflammation in joints for so many years after taking this particular drug? Any scientific explanation will be comprehended by me as I have a B.degree in Chemistry.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

Zoletta

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) Immediate Care Physician

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:

Seizure, blurred vision, eye pain, dry eyes, debilatating fatigue, insomnia, depression, intense anxiety, suicidal thoughts, difficulty breathing, limping ankle pain, excruciating pain on bottom of feet/calfs/shoulders/wrists/hands, nerve damaged finger tips, sunburned skin feeling, confusion, difficulty spelling/speaking/reading and doing simple math, less frequent urination, phychotic dreams, paranoia, unbearable detachment, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome diagnosis, elevated ana titers, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood inflammation levels, electrical surges, pinching nerves, bubbling sensations under skin, sunlight sensativity, extreme food and chemical sensativities.

5.Physician’s reaction to your concerns: "i wouldn’t worry about it." They all said. I was offered steroids, nsaids, physical therapy and psychotherapy. All doctors seem to think it’s in my head.

6.Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? I saw five doctors. All doctors were only aware that fq’s cause tendon rupture, and appalingly unaware of the other 187 possible side effects and adrs of levaquin, in particular

7.Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? Two were willing to admit it was possible, but none willing to admit for certain, and none willing to file a report

8.Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? Absolutely not one single word!

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? NO

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? I was diagnosed with pneumonia per x-ray. When i asked the doctor what type it was (viral or bacterial) she replied, "i don’t know."

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Pneumonia

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? No. In fact, my breathing worsened and it took a very long time to achieve the point of relief.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? I googled ‘pains that move’ and step by step i was brought to the quinolone victim’s website, and then was given this one by one of the members.

15. What made you log unto the site? Seeking more information and understanding of what’s happened to me and how to recover

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes. Very factual and informational.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: i would like to see a section containing information on how best to win a lawsuit against either the manufacturer or the doctor. What articles, documents, medical tests, etc. Would hold up best in a courtroom

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

Tnindependent

2. Drug prescribed:

Levaquin 750 mg x 1 per day x 10 days

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)

general practioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:

severe rash from shoulders to toes, numbness in skin on torso, swollen ankles, severe back pain

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:

noted my allergy on my chart

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?

I was the one who had the knowledge and suspected drug reaction from online research

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?

yes

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?

no

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?

no

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?

no

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?

no

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?

physician prescribed drug over the phone from symptoms of infected anal fissure

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?

yes

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?

online search of drug

15. What made you log unto the site?

online search of drug

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

only reaffirming

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:

my side effects did not surface until 2 weeks after taking this drug

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.headhunter  

2. Drug prescribed:    levaquin & cipro    back to back

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)internist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:   Sever pain in feet,  followed by sever rash on face, neck, & legs. Followed by  a prolong Q T c  interval of the electriocardiogram.  Had an angiogramshowed  all was ok ,  no blockage.  Curent ekg still shows prolongation of the Q T c interval  still present . All of the above symptoms plus, Peripheral neuropathy ,is still present  after being given these two drugs back to back in 10-2001.

 5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:   Had no clue what was causing the above problems.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?  NO

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? NO

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? NO

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?NO

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?YES

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? U T I

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?NO

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?Thru a friend

15. What made you log unto the site?Needed information.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?YES

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:I feel that these drugs have ruined my life.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.Meepat

2. Drug prescribed: Cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) G.P.

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: First episode: Irregular heartbeat, dizziness, panic, insomnia, jumping awake out of a dead sleep with my heart racing, generalized weakness, weight loss, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, tremors. At that time i didnt think it could be the drug. I have another infection and took just 2 pills...and the symptoms from 3 years ago are back..I'm scared.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: Wanted to give me an antidepressant after tests came back negative. Actually, the cardiac tests came back positive, with abnormal EKG and Unexpained rapid heartbeat. I'm sure since i'm female, "panic attacks" were foremost in his mind. Having panic attacks in my sleep?

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? No, insisted its stress related, although (previously) i am the most laid back person i know...

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?No

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? No

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Suspected UTI

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? No

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Google

15. What made you log unto the site? I was stupid enough to take Cipro again for a UTI and after (2)500mg doses, the symptoms from my "unknown stress illness" from 3 years ago returned...I very much remember the misery of that 6 months of my life and identified that as what i'm feeling now. I just hope that 2 pills is not enough to trigger that again for 6 months...and that this feeling goes away when the medicine leaves my system.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes, there are other people out there that have real symptoms and have been taught to believe in physicians advice, even when it goes against their own intuition. People who are driven "crazy" by mysterious symptoms and driven to believe that they are having panic attacks, when in fact, they have been poisoned by the medication taken to heal them from infection.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: The side effects and potential long term side effects of this medication need to be addressed! I will never eat another fluoride containing poison pill, that's for sure! (If it's not already too late...)

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. GG

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) Internal Medicine

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Severe hip and back pain.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: He said that it was unlikely to be related, but to follow up with my primary care physician.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? Yes, he mentioned muscle and joint pain (not joint pain alone), possible tendon rupture, etc.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? Yes.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? Yes.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?

Not that I know of.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?

Yes, white blood cell count of 16,000 confirmed, CT scan

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Diverticulitis

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?

I was given that and Flagyl, my infection seems to have cleared, but I have no idea which drug did it.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? I was doing some research to see if anyone else experienced this same pain. (It was the most severe stabbing pain I've ever had, even worse than the diverticulitis.)

15. What made you log unto the site? To see other people's responses.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: I am concerned that doctors routinely prescribe a medicine that can be worse than the disease.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

JULIE21078

2. Drug prescribed:

CIPRO

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)

CNP

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:

I DEVELOPED SEVERE HIP PAIN WHILE TAKING THIS DRUG. I STILL HAVE IT ALONG WITH OCCASIONAL TOOTHACHE, SHOULDER PAIN, AND CHEST PAIN. Pain in achilles tendon .I HAVE MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE WHICH CAUSES THE SAME KIND OF PAIN OCCASIONALLY. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY FOR A LONG TIME UNTIL LAST FEW DAYS.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:

I HAVENT CONTACTED HER YET. I HAVE JUST BEEN ON THE INTERNET SEARCHING WHAT COULD BE CAUSING HIP PAIN. AND SOMEHOW FELL INTO THIS.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?

NA

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? NO

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? I DON'T THINK SO

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? YES

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? A BACTERIAL VAGINAL INFECTION

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? NO

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? JUST BY SURFING THE WEB ON ADVERSE REACTIONS TO CIPRO

15. What made you log unto the site? I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? YES

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: THIS IS TERRIBLE. i WOULD HAVE NEVER TAKEN THIS HAD i KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME. i AM ONLY 37 YEARS OLD AND IT HAS GREATLY AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO DO ALOT OF THINGS.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

wowimmessedup

2. Drug prescribed:Cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)

gen practioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:

sudden and profound all over body weakness (like extreme hypoglocemia (sp?) reaction ,sensitivity to caffene, nicotene,weakness in left leg and arm (arm peridoc leg all the time) tremors, feeling like im going to lose control of my body, general fatigue,anxiety,a couple panic attacks, tingling in extremitys especially legs,vibrating/buzzing in legs (mostly left leg) massive amounts of floaters,none present before, light sensitivty (to eyes) heat sensitivity (causes attack like worsening of symptoms) trouble concentrating and with short term memory, sometimes trouble putting words together,pain in joints (mostly around the time i was taking the medications but oddly have recurrences of the joint pain peridically it is very severe and limits movement, mostly in neck and elbow but occurs also in knees and writst as well, achillis tendon pain (only when taking the medication)depression,twitching muscles (mostly in feet and hands but sometimes arms) odd skin sensations, no tolerance to jolting or vibrations, makes me feel like i will go into convulsions or lose control of my body, heat sensitivity (symptoms "attack severly sometimes whene i am exposed to heat , seems especially humid heat)this has gone on for 4 or 5 months some days im good most of the day some day i am useless, it seemd i had had good imporvement but then this week ive gotten worse again and problems seem to effect (more parts of my body then before) ie both legs , more floaters in eyes where it was mostly just the left before.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:he said i am suffering from anxiety and that i am perfectly healthy, suggested i take antidepressants. (-:

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? no, but he did say not to look the drug up though, that i might be needlessly concerned if i did so, i didnt untill today .

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? have not suggested it yet to him.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? other then it might upset my stomach i was givin no warnings whatsoever, had i know the possabilitys i would not have taken the grug even IF it truly only efeccted a very small number of people, i already was aware that i had a fairly sensitive nervous system (took cipro years ago but never made a connection ive had trouble in a smaller form since then, this is MUCH more severe.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?no

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? no it was prescribed for prostititus i beleive that is appropriate use of drug, although i have non-bacterial prostatitus so im not sure how something that is meant to kill bacteria would help me, (it did not cure the prostitus by the way )

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? yes, there was no bacteria present and there still isnt.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? chronic nonbacterial prostititus

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?none whatsoever

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? from another site.

15. What made you log unto the site? it was reccomended on that site as a good support for people suffering from this.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

im not sure yet, i think im MORE afraid of whats to come of my health now but i feel that this is the cause and that is nice to have something other then me being crazy be the source. my symptoms fit exceedingly well with what is being discussed and described on these web pages.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:my main concern os recovery, i want my life back and my health. i was just prescribed another antibiotic and now i wonder if ive just added more of this to my system, its called sulfameth trimethoprim (for the prostititus)after taking it ive had a severe flare up of my symptoms but as far as i know its not related to these drugs you speak of here. if i could get a responce on this it would be greatly appreciated, i have stopped takin gthis drug untill i speak to my doctor about all this, its not helping me anyway.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

Ambro

2. Drug prescribed:

Avelox

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)

Family doctor

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:

I was found uncounscious at work after taking this medication and having siezures

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:

Wanted me to not take the medication anymore which I had not and put it down in my chart as a allergy

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?

Yes, but he was not the one who prescribed it it was his college on call who prescribed it

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?

yes

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?

no

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?

no

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?

no

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?

no

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?

Sinus infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?

no

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?

google

15. What made you log unto the site?

Concern about the effects of this drug

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.

Hop-a-long

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin/Avelox

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)General practitioner

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Severe crippling in knees and ankles; pain in all joints; whole body was chemically imbalanced (menstrual cycle, response to cleansers, smells, foods); extremely fatigued and weak; for awhile I had lung tightness and shortness of breath

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: Very concerned; had me call in once a week to give him an update (I didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford to pay for a weekly visit)

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? Yes, he had a similar mild reaction to Cipro himself.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? He suggested it himself

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No; the doctor was too unaware of drug reactions These were free samples he gave me and he gave them to me as a last resort because my body with several other antibiotics was unable to get rid of pneumonia

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? No; but he swears to now with each patient; and he has promised to more frugally prescribe these

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? No

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? No; that was my choice; I couldn’t afford it at the time

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Other antibiotics had not worked to rid me of a 2 month case of pneumonia

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? It certainly rid me of the pneumonic symptoms and sinus infection; but it got rid of a lot of other GOOD things as well

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Google search

15. What made you log unto the site? I was desperate and determined to find some kind of research about this issue so I could determine my condition

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Extremely enlightening; it helped me to determine what steps toward treatment I should take

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: I write this for the benefit of everyone else. I noticed my symptoms were all closely related to chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia symptoms. I went to the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center (there are about 12 centers nationwide); and the doctor was very unsurprised at my situation and set straight to de-toxing me and pumping me full of things to slowly bring me back to a higher state of functioning. I started in March 2006 and by July 4 was in MUCH better condition, almost normal. I still have trouble climbling stairs and involving myself in sustained, extreme exertion. But my concentration is almost back to normal, as well as my energy level. The clinic targeted each of my main symptoms, and helped me get my life back. I would recommend them to anyone.

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. kittykatmicnmin

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) Pulmonologist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: I had a rash that covered all over my body in little dots, I had to be given 10 liters of fluid, I was put a vent because I went into anaphexic shock and stayed 7 days in the hospital which 6 of those days was in CCU. Now I am hypersensitive and I am still having nerve problems and allergic reactions.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: She was sorry I had this problem.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? no

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? yes

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? no

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? no

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? no

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? no

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? sinus infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? no, the reaction happened on the very first day of being on Levaquin.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Some very important information on the side effects of Levaquin and what they were.

15. What made you log unto the site? Because of the problems I am having now. Tingling on the tip of my tongue which involves my whole tongue, the tingling and swelling goes down my throat and it is hard to swallow. My face and hands are always red.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes, a great deal.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: I am still having problems after the first reaction I had after taking Levaquin. Will it ever stop? or will it continue to have severe impact on my life until one day the reactions of the Levaquin kills me! 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.DJust30

2. Drug prescribed:Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)specialist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:enlarged lymph nodes, throat swollen together, severe pain in feet and legs, lethargy, depression, foggy thinking, sleeplessness, soreness in neck and shoulders, patchy dry skin, nausea, lack of appetite, metal taste in mouth, Achiness all over that is not alleviated with pain medication, inability to function in my daily activities.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:misdiagnosis

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?No

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?No

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?No

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?I don't think so

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?Upper respiratory infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?No

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?google search

15. What made you log unto the site?I need help

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?No, not at the present time.

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:Will these side affects go away?  Is there anything I can do to alleviate them?
 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name.
Shelleypidge

2. Drug prescribed:
Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)
Internist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:
Dizziness, depression, knee swelling and pain

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:
Reported yesterday - no feedback as yet.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? no

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?
No.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?
No.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?
Unsure.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?
No.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?
I had suspected shingles, and also a breast lump/ lump under my arm, which my doctor thought may have been due to an underlying infection - hence the shingles.

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?
The lumps went away after 3 days on the drug.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?
When my knee swelled up I saw from the pharmacist notes that it may be a side effect of Levaquin - I then went online to check it out, and that led me to this website.

15. What made you log unto the site?
Wanted to record my experience - so many people have had serious issues, it's important all adverse effects are recorded.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have:
I finished a 10 day course of Levaquin 2 days ago - my knees are still swollen, and I wonder how long it will last, and if the effects are permanent - others seem to have been permanently affected by this drug.

1.Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. Dundir

2. Drug prescribed: Ciproflaxin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) Urologist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug: Extreme Fatigue,Tendonitis, Paranoia, constipation, vision damage, weakness in ankle tendons, kidney and colon pains, and getting worse.

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: He said the symptoms i was having were not related to his field, and that I should speak with my primary care doctor. I was unable to get an appointment with my primary care doctor and so went in to several of the urgent care doctors. When I spoke to each one i mentioned that Cipro has these symptoms as side effects, they refused to admit that cipro had caused the problem and decided to treat the symptoms. At the time it was tendonitis but since then has gradually worsened. As if they were unrelated.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? The physician's did not exhibit any prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the flouroquinolones.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? They were not.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? I was only warned of possible fatigue associated while taking the medicine and that it was normal.

9.Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? He did not.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? I'm not sure, I had done a cystoscopy and they thought I had a UTI so they prescribed it as a first line drug.

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?  Minimal Urine Testing was done, there was no signs of infection, yet i was recieving symptoms of an infection.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? For a possible urinary tract infection.

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? I recieved no benefit from this drug, I retain all my previous symptoms in regard to my urological condition as well as new symptoms related to cipro.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?  I started doing my own research and ran across the site on a forum.

15. What made you log unto the site?  I haven't logged in yet.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? The information was somewhat valuable however i'm hoping to find a way of stopping my health's gradual degradation.

17.Additional comments or concerns you may have: I was being seen at Kaiser Permanente, all the doctors with the exception of one urgent care doctor seemed to be incompetent, they kept me in the dark, didn't really discuss what could be wrong and weren't willing overall to help me be healthy. In short their actions show me that all they wanted to do was treat the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. Its been 8 months since I took the ciproflaxin and my health is deteriorating rapidly, i switched insurance and have been seeing a new doctor with not much luck.
 

1.  Sherry

2. Drug prescribed: Levaquin

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.) Podiatrist

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:Joint pain, skin coming off in big amounts on bottom of both feet, itchy spells

5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns: Said to stop taking Levaquine and symptoms would go away.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones? No

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible? Not really

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience? No

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug? NO

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)? Don't know

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection? Yes

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed? Bone infection

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug? Yes

14. How did you find the fqresearch site? Website

15. What made you log unto the site? Looking for information on side effects of this drug

16. Was the information you found of any value to you? Yes

17. Additional comments or concerns you may have: What do I do now? How do I know I'm not damaged for life?

 

1. Unique Identifier (enter a unique name or other identifier: DO NOT use your screen name or real name. Star Fire

2. Drug prescribed: Cipro

3. Type of physician who prescribed the drug (example, internist, general practioner, specialist, emergency room physician, surgeon, etc.)  ER doctor - separate internist, my regular doctor, refused to change Rx despite my fears

4. Adverse Events you feel may be related to this drug:  Ha! Do you have a blank novel? Um.... What DON'T I have. Typing it out kind of makes me relive it. Let's go from head to toe.

Early on, I had (day two) hallucinations in a tactile way. I kept feeling things on me that were not there. I had memories that I knew did not happen. But could not figure out why I kept having those images in my head. They were vivid. I called them waking nightmares. This distressed me. But due to the symptoms themselves maybe - I did not realise at that time it was the Cipro already acting in me. By the next day my left hand was tremoring. I then began to wonder if it was the Cipro. I told someone close to me about that. They were not too concerned. (But what did they know about it?) So I kept taking it. I had tried getting my regular Dr. to Rx me something else even before I took the Cipro. Because I had read some warnings online. I had not found the fqresearch.org website or I would've never taken them. I wanted to ask someone about all this but there was no one to ask. (This is still prior to taking the Cipro) I told myself well no one said anything about LASTING effects so I will just stop taking it if I have any reactions. Besides - again no one would Rx me anything different. So I tried to calm my own fears, told myself the Dr's scoffing at my concerns meant that I was being a big baby, and so forth. That is after all how I was being treated.

Biggest mistake I may ever make was not listening to my intuition on this. So by day 5 I was unable to walk much at all. My legs kept wobbling out from under me. My ankles were lit up in pain. I finally got hold of another doctor and he Rx something else for me. Ok? So fast forward one week later. I thought the worst was behind me. I was relaxing, not worried about anything, when suddenly my heart started thumping and racing. It was so hard another person could SEE it moving through my shirt. And felt, and was amazed how rapid my heart beat was. I don't know how rapid but I'd guess over 100 beats per minute.

The next month or so is a blur now, because so much happened. At times I'd have strange things happen like my legs would not stop kicking. My vision blurred and I could barely speak. My tongue felt thick and my words slurred. (I don't drink) My hands and fingers began to feel very weak and did not do as I 'told' them to do. In the following months, I (who usually never went to doctors) saw a neurologist, and other specialists, who nicely or rudely, all told me it could not be the Cipro and to see a shrink. I will go into that more later though. I see there is a space here just for that issue.

I could not stand on my tiptoes for months. I tried to do that because I noticed my feet were not bending as normal. I walked like my feet were stiff as boards. It was as if the tendons inside them gave up. It is very hard to describe and no doubt partly why doctors looked at me so strangely. My array of symptoms was so diverse, and unusual, and all together, made it sound I'm sure, like I was just a crackpot.  I only wish.

The anxiety, depression, and FEAR absolute dread and fear, were extreme. I cannot describe how extreme. It was as if whatever normally mediates feelings of fear was just gone. GONE. I could not watch anything on tv that moved too quickly or was too bright or noisy. Cartoons come to mind. No way I could watch those. Music videos, anything scary or suspenseful on Tv. I had anxiety attacks out of nowhere, just lying in bed. I kept family on the phone for hours on end. I was desperate. THe minutes felt longer than I could've imagined was possible. Think of the scariest thing you can imagine. Now imagine it is right next to you. For months. And on top of that you can't sleep and it doesn't go away. That's what this felt like. I haven't taken this stuff but from what I hear of it I might say this is like the worst ACID trip you could ever take. The absolute terror cannot be overstated.

Thankfully... with much prayer or luck, that went away in time. I still feel more quick to anger and more quick to stress than ever before. I am not the same "me" I was before taking the Cipro. But at least, despite my sleep schedule being messed up extremely, at least now I can sleep at all. Even if it is at odd hours or daytime. Having that rest sometimes is so restorative and I am very grateful for the sleep I can get. Usually it's not deep or restful... and if I have hours of daylight I'm not used to it changes again (harder to sleep), but, it is better than it was. And it WAS so bad that I felt desperate. Nothing I took helped really, by the way. I tried one or two Ambien pills, etc., but nothing helped, if anything, it seemed to rebound on me to make things even worse.  Finally I decided, I will just let my body heal itself as much as it can. Taking things only seemed to delay or even worsen that process. And I mean, did I want to put money in the pockets of big pharma anyway?

Ok, what other symptoms... constipation, off and on, but, at times it's been so severe I was afraid of blockages and almost went to the ER. I mean, totally impacted. A lot of times my BM is so dry... it falls apart. It is very weird. My eyes are continually very dry. Sometimes they itch. I tihnk that is a possible infection so then I drink even more water and put gel on them (just lube gel). I cannot wear contacts any more. So I look old before my time. I have gained weight from being in bed so much, and eating soft foods, like starches, etc. For months I was unable to hold a toothbrush due to the pains in my hands and weakness and loss of function. So my teeth have cavities in them now and are yellowed and the enamel is etched. BUT I am afraid to go to the dentist due to what the pain injections might do to me. Or that they might not work.

One day several months after Cipro, bright blue and purple veins appeared all over my body. In ropes and strands. They do not stick out but are very visible. They don't hurt but sometimes I do have burning/flushing under the skin. I dont know if that is due to nerves or veins though. NO way to really tell. The very visible veins, even in my face, are things usually seen in someone, oh, 80? So that mortifies me in a way. I try not to look at myself in the mirror.

My vision keeps getting worse. I got a new prescription after Cipro and already I have to strain at times to read things well or quickly.   I hope it will not continue to worsen. I wory about eye infections due to the decreased moisture I know it's easier to get infected or injured. I try not to rub them.

I have carpal tunnel like feelings in my wrists. I did not have that before. For almost a year I could not type or hold a pen well. First the pain and loss of function, then the pain began to slowly slowly decrease, BUt the loss of functino is still not 100 percent well. But for many months it felt as if my hands were being shredded by knives. Or had been all day.

I found it hard to sit up for months. It was as if whatever normally holds muscles together, wasn't any more. So it felt as if the weight of my own body was prying me apart inside. Searing intense pains and a feeling of 'ripping'. So I would lie still in bed most of the time. My eyes hurt badly at times. It hurt to even glance at a light bulb sideways. I would feel a sudden stabbing pain in both eyes. Literally as if stabbed. It was horrendous. I could not really go out in the daytime or if I did I had to wait until the sun was not so bright and wear dark glasses. I still don't know why that happened. The regular eye exam person did not see anything when she (of course, haha) looked into my pupils with a VERY BRIGHT LIGHT. ha. Doesn't THAT make sense. She was nice about it but OUCH.

That pain has mostly improved. But I stilil have to be careful. I try ot keep the light 'even' in the room. If I am not aware and forget to do that, then soon I have pains again. And dryness and a feeling of sand in my eyes. I have to keep my glasses clean or the straining my eyes do, causes black spots to appear. They are faint though which I am grateful for.

I have tendon problems to this day, in my wrists and ankles and feet especially. They hurt and my ankles tendons often feel about to snap. I try to be very careful. Exercising heartily is probably out. Jumping or running certainly is. WHich means i may never lose this extra poundage. I try not to think about things like that. I try to do what I can do 'today' and not think about tomorrow. This is the opposite of how I used to be which was dynamic and goal seeking.

My ovaries shut down completely. I have hormone tests to prove this, before and after Cipro. It was so unusual of a level for my age that the test was run many times but it came out the same. I only know that because I noticed the note jotted down by someone at the lab. No doctor has interpreted all this for me. Not really. Some were at least kind, though. Thankfully.

I have vertical ripples up my arms that look like a zipper. I dont know what caused that unless carrying something before my tissue healed. I have no idea though. I only did that once, because I had to. It was not even heavy. Before I took Cipro I would carry 5 bags of groceries at once with no problem. Now I dont know what will happen to me next.

There are chunks missing out of my arms and legs, below the skin. That is the only way I can put it. It is like part of the tissues died. I can wear clothes to cover most of it and it is not AS visible unless the light hits it just right; then it looks quite shocking. My lower arms even have what a chiropractor (who I didn't end up seeing) termed as "scooped out muscles". The muscles in parts are just gone. That is how it APPEARS anyway. I have not been to a doctor in some time for tests. Why? They can't tell me a thing.

And even if or when something is very out of order they just shrug and they may say it kindly but they cannot help me.

Well you get the picture. Oh also early on, for the better part of hte first year, I could not get enough water. I drank almost non stop. If I had to drive far to see a doctor or something and could not drink as much due to not stopping to use a bathroom, then, I'd get extremely dehydrated and my feet would swell. Again things that happen to 80 yr olds. But despite feeling parched ALL the time, no doctor would so much as give me an IV of fluids. The most any of them did was offer yet another pill for off label usage. I was offered some type of BP med, and Neurontin and Zyprexa. Thankfully I refused all those.

Vitamins even caused me symptoms which REALLY got strange looks from others so I learned not to tell people that. But it is the truth. I reacted badly to chicken that was SUPPOSEDLY organic. My mouth swelled, my tongue swelled, and at the end of it I had lost a lot of collagen in my lips. That again is a reason I am mortified at my reflection. I do not look like ME any more. That plus the weight gain and loss of collagen elsewhere means I am older, saggier and heavier now. Before Cipro I was always told I look so young for my age.

Well I better answer the rest of the questions.


5. Physician’s reaction to your concerns:

One doctor laughed at me. Most of them told me to see a shrink. The report two of them wrote was very disheartening. Despite saying I "might" have this or that but did not (which makes no sense), they also wrote that I had a bad childhood and things like that. I wondered why they asked me so many psychological questions at the time, but, they said they were trying to help me, and I was so desperate for any help I went along with anything they wanted to do. But they would not perform a bone scan, or MRI, or sonogram or things that might actually tell PHYSICALLY what is wrong... And althoguh my blood tests were abnormal - they could not pin down a specific illness except 'fibromyalgia' the catchall so they decided I must be crazy. Nice. Now they could dismiss me. One even laughed and mocked the idea that anyone is sick from FQ drugs. He even read the Yahoo group (probably one or two letters) and mocked THAT.

One Dr. wanted me to take Zyprexa to sleep. When I informed him that a class action suit was pending for it giving people diabetes he screamed at me. He screamed that I just wanted to look everytihng up online and if I did not take it he would not be my doctor any more. I cried. He must have felt bad later because a week later he left two messages on my machine, saying I could come in after all if I wanted to. But I never phoned back.   That was shocking to me that he'd treat my concerns that way. Especially after I had been made ill by Rx drugs. I am happy I did not give in that time (it was not an emergency like when I had to take Cipro). I see ads for the class action suit against Zyprexa on Tv all the time. I wonder if he has seen those ads and if he regrets trying to force me to take it. I doubt he even remembers any of this, though.

Only ONE doctor so much as looked it up in his PDR. Then he got real quiet. But there was nothing he coudl do to help me eitiher. No one knows what this syndrome is or what causes it (I dont mean the catalyst but I mean what THAT does to us exactly and how to stop it).

The other doctors I saw (maybe 5 to 7? I don't know offhand) only one was kind. The other was kind of baffled but when I told him some think we shoudl see shrinks (by we I mean Cipro sufferers) he said well that's not a bad idea. he had given me an EMG but it showed as normal. A neurologist later told me that it has to be done at 6 to 8 wks after the injury. OR it will not show up. So my first EMG was way too soon and the later one was too late.

I never phoned back my original doctor. I try not to use that type of language. Anyway he's so much a narcissist and so sneering that (sorry I can't think of words I want, oftentimes, still) he would only jeer at me anyway. I wonder what they will do when the class action suit happens as I know it will one day, if it takes 20 yrs or more. I bet they will not even remember us.

6. Did your physician exhibit ANY prior knowledge concerning the adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolones?

NO. NOt at all. And I got no sheet with it. Just a very short list of very minor possible side effects. Even those scared me. I also said "isn't this an anthrax drug? Do I really need this for a colon problem?" She would not even answer me. So I phoned my regular PCP next day I think - he did not even want to discuss it but when he did, he laughed at me, and said sarcastic things. He said there are NO side effects from Cipro and he "prescribes it all the time". He absolutely refused to change the Rx which I was begging him to do. I did not have a Dr relationship with anyone else so I could not ask anyone else to Rx anything... I did not think of calling the Dr. on call to see if he would (since he had no vanity stake in telling me what to do) until later. By then it was too late. I had been on Cipro five days.

7. Was your physician willing to admit that the drug could possibly be responsible?

I never told him of the ADR. He would have jeered at me at best. Or hung up for fear he'd be sued, more likely. Evne though I am not the lawsuit type. BUt I bet he would not talk to me once I said Cipro did this. And there is not enough phone time in teh world to list it all for him anyway. I daydreamed a couople times about printing out Dr. reports and mailing it to him. BUt he would just roll his eyes and toss it in the trash. Much like the other Dr. did later about Zyprexa. As soon as they hear hte word internet they jeer. BUT I was speaking of lawyer websites and doctor reports on the internet, and newspaper articles. It did not matter to them.

My story is much like everyone else's. No doctor would help me and those who would, could not.

8. Where you given any advice as to what side effects you may experience?

Ha. NO. I even told THEM what I was reading online and they LAUGHED literally LAUGHED. Well the one did (if you mean before I took it). The other, the ER doctor, would not reply at all. Even the very short side effects list she gave me on some print out of THEIRS, sounded bad enough that I did not want to take it. I think they gave me drugs as a safety anyway. I did not even have a bacterial infection. Just colon inflammation of some type.

9. Did the physician enter into a risk/benefit discussion prior to prescribing the drug?

Again.... NO. When I tried to I was either stonewalled or ignored.

10. Was the drug prescribed for "off label" use (meaning NOT an approved use)?

Yes, I had a mild UTI, and colon inflammation wrongly diagnosed as diverticulitis. The ER doctor had not even read the CaT scan report correctly. I got that report later and it did not say I had it. Just that it was a possible early sign. So why was I given such a strong pill?!? In such a high dose? A UTI can be treated with cranberry juice. She never answered me as to why she wanted me to take Cipro either. I asked her twice "but isn't this an anthrax drug"?

11. Was testing done to confirm or deny the presence of a bacterial infection?

Not really, they said the urine test confirmed a UTI but not what kind of UTI.

12. What reason(s) was the drug prescribed?

They never told me! They told me I had diverticulitis (patently untrue and I knew that... way too young and no trouble eating seeds, etc.) and I saw on the print out that I had a UTI also, which was likely the main source of pain (which today seems like NOTHING after all Cipro put me through!!). But not which tihng the pills were for, or why those pills.   THey also gave me Flagyl with it. I did not have diarrhea! Why give me Flagyl. When I told my PCP I'd ratehr take Flagyl only if he woudl not change the Cipro Rx, he said that could kill me. FALSE but I did not know it then.

OH and my PCP also LIED and said - he had seen the CAT scan and that I had an abcess in my intestine. Flat out LIE. I didn't. BUT that worked and scared me into taking the Cipro, as I know an abcess there can be deadly. When I much later found out that it was a manipulative lie, I had many mixed emotions inside.

13. Did you receive any benefit from being on this drug?

NO. It did not treat any of my presenting symptoms and did not help the pain in my stomach. Nothing. I still felt sick. Even the flared up skin where my IV had gone in did not go away. Not until I began another antibiotic after stopping the Cipro. Cipro did not help me one little bit.

14. How did you find the fqresearch site?

Google.

15. What made you log unto the site?

All hell was breaking loose in my body. Worse than poison. It was more like poison and my muscles being shredded. And 10,000 other things.

16. Was the information you found of any value to you?

Yes, of course, although it also always freaks me out and depresses me to go there. Maybe the entry page being a BIT less info all on one page, or maybe having a type of place to go and talk or some sort of hopeful message somewhere would help ease that, but it's your site. But also I hear people telling me they feel overwhelmed by that page and they read nothing. These are people I know who I have asked to go to the site so they can know what I am giong through. I woudl rather see people's quotes from their own stories on the entry page, then the page divided into clear sections that you could click on one at a time.

Just so that the intake of info is more manageable. It feels like it hits me all in the face at once. And as you know stress is one of the things we deal with anyway.

Right now I dont know ahead of time if I am clicking on a Dr. report, report in someone's own words, newspaper story, etc. I wish instead of a lot of scary links it had sections for newspaper articles, sections for 'in their own words', sections 'for physicians who doubt', etc., etc. And that last section would have reports from other doctors, since I tihnk they would not listen to anything else. At least that was my experience.

I cannot get family to read it as they are laypersons and put off by too much meidcal lingo and too dire of a sound to things. Maybe if you eased the reader into the site more gradually. They would come back again out of curiosity etc. But all at once it is too much.