Ciprofloxacin Horror!

[Teddy2022]

I don’t know where to start. I had been taking this drug for over a year until two days ago when I stopped it myself. I was prescribed it last April while in hospital with ARLD and alcohol hepatitis. I was very poorly and since recovered from it. My first blood tests after discharge were normal but I had started suddenly with muscle and joint pain, in my neck first then it started to rapidly spread to all joints and muscle. I had no cause to read the leaflet I may add until a couple of days ago. I went to my GP and told him my symptoms immediately last May and he started to prescribe me with a continuing cocktail of various pain killers from tramadol to naproxen etc etc. An appointment made for a bone scan etc etc. Nothing worked. My cipro was never mentioned. To cut a very long story short. I have been in agony for a year with chronic pain. I had a HA in February and a stent again no one questioned why I was on this medication.

I have just read by complete chance, about its horrible side effects! I have Immediately stopped taking it. God knows the lasting impact on my body!!! Why did no one question the fact that this pain literally started the day I was discharged???!? I trusted the doctors. When I read the leaflet in the box I nearly passed out! I also have ringing in my ears since taking it and again no one was interested! I feel really let down.

[Cat-B]

Why were you started on ciprofloxacin? It’s an antibiotic so you should have had a short course, go back to your doctor and ask why they are giving it on repeat prescriptions? Good luck

[Teddy2022 in reply to Cat-B]

I mentioned it twice to my consultant who said she wanted to keep me on it in case I got blood poisoning again. I didn’t question it but always wondered if it would be working any way after all that time! I am mortified now as I have suffered so much pain over the last year and no one questioned the antibiotic. I thoughtI had fibromyalgia !!!!

[Cat-B in reply to Teddy2022]

Please contact your doctor, your consultant must have had a good reason, I’d ring his/ secretary and ask for him/her to phone you. Self diagnosis is extremely dangerous!

[Teddy2022 in reply to Cat-B]

I am not taking it anymore as I have the side effects very badly. I can’t get through to my doctors but I will inform them the same. I spoke to a chemist just now who advised me to stop it immediately.

[Hidden in reply to Teddy2022]

Sometimes coming off something suddenly will make the situation worse not better.You must contact a medical professional.

[Teddy2022 in reply to Hidden]

I spoke to a chemist at the hospital who said to stop them straight away.

[Hidden in reply to Teddy2022]

Ah that's good then. Just making sure

[Millie09]

Hi Teddy Sorry to hear about your issues, I have just read on line regarding the meds you were given I don't understand why a strong antibiotics was given for such a long time !!

Please as cat -b said see your Dr and ask questions..

Good luck 👍

Linda

[Teddy2022 in reply to Millie09]

I flushed them down the toilet when I read the label. I feel like I have been slowly poisoned. I have read the pain could be permanent now. I literally couldn’t sleep because of the pain which I have now got use to thinking that’s what fibromyalgia does! Don’t think they will have helped my heart either!

[Millie09 in reply to Teddy2022]

Oh dear , that's not good .So sorry you have been and still are suffering

This needs to be taken further if you have been over prescribed and now suffering from the side effects long term.

I'm sure there's a medical lawyer or even try contact PALS .

[Teddy2022 in reply to Millie09]

I never thought of PALs. I don’t want to annoy my doctors though as they were good at getting me checked out before I had an even worse heart attack. My Gastro consultant is nice too but I feel WHY DIDNT THEY KNOW OF THE SIDE EFFECTS. It’s actually highlighted on the NHS website for doctors to read! I had no history of joint issues before just a bad back

[Millie09 in reply to Teddy2022]

Yes try PALS, that way your not directly getting the wrong person /people involved with whom allowed this to contine .Please keep us posted and try not to worry

[kensimmons]

Can you consult with a lawyer about such incompetence? I just googled and there seem to be firms that specialize in such things.

[Teddy2022 in reply to kensimmons]

It makes you feel like that but I don’t think you ever win in this sort of thing. I am more mad with one GP who I sat face to face with last year and said that I couldn’t understand why the pain, which started in my neck, started the day I was discharged from hospital ! I was only on the Cipro and something for gallstones which were causing no trouble. I can’t believe I had all these appointments and no one questioned it ! At one stage even Tramodol 3 times a day didn’t work. I felt like a zombie. The physio said to stop taking them as no pain relief was working anyway. Any form of light exercise hurts now. I told them my joint pain is in my muscles too but no one took any notice! I said to my doctor do you think I am making this up? She said of course not so off I trotted to see a rhuemotology specialist ! What a waste of NHS money!

[kensimmons]

I would consult with a barrister. But perhaps not thinking rationally but emotionally. The good news is that it can't get any worse anymore. Perhaps you have a friend who is a chemist who can answer some questions? I wish you all the best, good luck!

[Teddy2022 in reply to kensimmons]

Yes, I can’t get any worse thankfully. I am glad I found out what I did. It just shows you you have to be so careful and don’t put your trust 100% in doctors.