Clarithromycin

[M67W77]

Got severe foot pain with ciprofloxacin. Now another exacerbation and taking clarithromycin with steroids. Foot really hot along the sole and very uncomfortable. Wonder if clarithromycin is causing it.

[scorpiolass]

Sorry but I don't know. Like you I could not tolerate Cipro. Probably someone will come along soon with experience of clarithromycin. X

[pollyjj]

Hi why not give your pharmacist a ring I am sure they can offer some advice.

take care

polly xx

[M67W77]

Thank you ladies. Phoned pharmacist who referred me to Dr. Have to try to finish the antibiotic as feeling ill. Will call him if things don't improve over the week end. The joys of COPD!

[Lyd12]

Just been reading an article in Tuesdays daily mail. It was about ciprofloxacin and main problem being with tendon trouble. It is a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones, dont know if your second antibiotic is in the same group.

[Claudine in reply to Lyd12]

Yes, I saw this article too. Cipro used to be my emergency drug but GP recently changed it and I feel quite glad now. The worrying thing seems to be that some of the adverse side-effects still stay after you've finished taking it but you have no way of knowing in advance if it will affect you.

[M67W77]

Cipro is certainly a problem. Heard of an 80 year old where the tendon snapped!

Not sure about the clarithromycin I am taking but will try over the week end. If no better I'll see my dr.

[Hidden in reply to M67W77]

That must be very uncomfortable. I hope it is not too bad over the weekend, and then off to the surgery if it is no better. Please let us know.

x

[M67W77 in reply to Hidden]

Tendonitis

[M67W77 in reply to Hidden]

Got elastic sock so that is helping together with orthotics in shoes. Taking the antibiotic as chest is bad also steripoules through nebuliser. Ventolin that way always makes my heart race. Live on second floor and lift off for two weeks for major repair so it won't do any harm to rest up. Very blessed with family and friends

[SAMMYJFL]

I was prescribed Cipro by my consultant and after only 3 days struggled to walk. I was advised by an out of hours GP that I had suffered tendon damage, a rare side effect of the drug. Two years later the same consultant prescribed it again. Needless to say, I declined.

[M67W77]

Lots of self help needed with this condition. There are so many drugs with side effects. Sometimes hard to remember what's what!

[Maximonkey]

Hi M67, Oh, poor you. I really sympathise. I too had a reaction to Cipro, my tendons where so tight I could hardly walk (I was on holiday at the time and did not connect it to the Cipro). When I returned my GP took me off this antibiotic and made a note on my computer records so that I am never given it again. I always use Clarithromycin now. No tendon problems with this drug, however, I do tendon exercises every day to strength the tendons. As we age our tendons shorten and any drug or injury makes the pain even worse. Exercises for the foot (I do these sitting on the bed) sitting up with legs extended take a longish towel and place it around your foot, holding the ends gently pull the towel so that the foot comes slightly towards your body (this is stretching the tendons) for a count of 10. repeat up to 10 times. You might find this painful at first but believe me it is worth doing. If you suffer from pain behind the knee or ankle, different exercises are used. If you need them contact me or you should contact your doctor who can print out the exercises for you. Good luck and I hope this helps. Maximonkey

[Maximonkey]

Hi M67, sorry forget to add, you can use pain relieving gel on your foot 3 or 4 times a day. This will not take the pain away completely but will help. I usually use the gel before the exercises. Good luck and take care of yourself. Maximonkey

[M67W77 in reply to Maximonkey]

Thanks so much. I got a band from the podiatrist for that exercise. Have to start doing it regularly. So very tired. Prednisolone has that effect. The age of the beast doesn't help. I'm 78.

[Maximonkey in reply to M67W77]

Hi m67, age is just a number. Keep on going. I hope you feel some relief soon. Maximonkey

[M67W77 in reply to Maximonkey]

Many thanks. Joys of retirement means rest without guilt.