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“I had a reaction immediately. Iknew something was horribly

wrong right away,” says Girard,recalling those first days in the

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The Fluoroquinolones Community—and Their Leader Mark Girard

August 30, 2014, 10:30:00AM. By Brenda Craig

Ottawa, ON: Seven years ago Canadian Mark Girard was strong and healthy and living a very comfortable life. He worked as a chef in thehigh-altitude vacation lodges cradled in the pristine Rocky Mountains. On his days off, there was unlimited ATV riding surrounded by iconicscenery, and in the winter there were snowmobile adventures in the back country.

Today, he lives day to day and rarely leaves his house in Ottawa. Most of his time is spentmanaging a range of chronic health problems that zap his energy and drag him down.

Girard’s troubles began back in Colorado with a broken ankle that required a set of pinsand screws to hold it all together. When a hospital-acquired infection set in (StaphylococcusAureus), doctors hooked him up to a Kleflex antibiotic drip and prescribed him massive oralquantities of Levaquin, one of the group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones or FQs.

“I started complaining,” says Girard. “Day ten I lostcontrol of my bladder. I was sitting there p*****g

myself. I told them, ‘hey, I’ve never done this before.’ They give more pills. By day 17, I had blood clotsin my chest and arms and I was back in the hospital for the third time in a month.”

Everything was unraveling. Within three weeks Girard says he was as “sick as a dog.” I had a headache, nausea, I had diarrhea, I wasconfused and disorientated, I had insomnia, the muscles in my eyes and my cheeks were twitching, and the veins were bulging.”

He was trying to literally get back on his feet when a physiotherapist discovered that the tendons around his ankle area were mush.

Within 18 months he’d lost his emotional and physical health. His job was gone and he was homeless and feeling suicidal. Friends evenraised money for him to limp home to Canada.

In the months and years ahead, he began to hear about Levaquin and hundreds perhaps thousands of people whose adverse events havebeen reported to the FDA after being prescribed fluoroquinolones for everything from bladder to respiratory infections.

As Girard says, “I’d been floxed.”

In 2008, the FDA requested that fluoroquinolones carry a boxed warning that the antibacterials could cause tendonitis or tendon ruptures. In2013, the FDA required that drug labels and medication guides carry warnings of peripheral neuropathy, or serious and potential permanentnerve damage.

Commonly used FQs include levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin)and gemifloxacin (Factive).

Soft-spoken, serious and knowledgeable, Girard has become the “official unofficial” leader of a worldwide group of people living with healtheffects attributed to use of FQs. They refer to themselves as “Floxies.”

“I am pretty much the leader of the Facebook community,” says Girard. “I am the senior administrator of the largest and busiest of the supportgroups. I have also generated and started filling in all kinds of specialized groups like Christian Floxies, and there’s a group for research,where all we deal with is new scientific research.

“The biggest group is the Fluoroquinolones Toxicity Group,” says Girard. “We are at about 2,150 members. There have been as many as

three or four thousand members of this group. People heal up and get on with their lives or they just need to not be there and exposed to thenegativity. We are as positive as we can be about it but the subject matter is just horrible.”

For many people, the concept of being “floxed” is difficult to comprehend. “The reaction is mostly disbelief,” says Girard. “They have beentaking antibiotics their whole life and never had anything like that. Or they have taken Cipro and they have arthritis or depression but don’tunderstand it could be from the Cipro. But the reaction is mostly disbelief - until it happens to you.”

Fluoroquinolones, or more accurately their precursors, were developed as a chemotherapy drug. When it was discovered that the compoundcould actually kill bacteria, they were reformulated and marketed as antibiotics. However, they are far from penicillin.

Simply put, fluoroquinolones work by entering the bacteria’s DNA and preventing it from reproducing. However, they do not work only onbacterial DNA. They actually penetrate all the cells in the body. It’s believed that the tendons rupture because the FQs confuse the DNA, andthe cells literally get mixed up.

“Tendons will be rebuilding wrong, and rebuilding wrong until one day you overextend them and they snap. People get it in their shoulder,rotator cuff, hands, wrist,” adds Girard.

Girard and other members of the FQ community want more research into the use of these drugs. On May 9, 2014, 50 people with FQ-relatedhealth issues and supporters traveled to Washington and made a presentation to the Senate Health Committee.

Interestingly, Girard makes something very clear.

“Despite all the crap I have gone through, these drugs probably saved my life,” notes Girard. “If I had not been given an FQ, the infectioncould easily have killed me so I am grateful. I was just prescribed them for far too long and in conjunction with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and proton pump inhibitors, both of which are contraindicated.”

Much of Girard’s available energy is spent online, gathering and sharing information about FQs and talking to people with adverse reactionsthey believe are connected to FQs. “I do a lot of counseling. Talking to people who are not doing well at all.”

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Posted byCarrieon September 9, 2014

In 1990 I was given Cipro in a matter of a few days of taking it my Left elbow was torn up. Just doing what I normallydo at my job. (Which I soon Lost as it took time to heal and when I returned the head hogs found a way to get rid ofme.) Fast forward to 2006 Levaquin and I was on the couch in a matter of 3 days when I found that I was better fromthe infection but unable to walk. There is nothing that could let me explain all of the problem I have had since this allstarted. I only in the past year or so learned just how much of our daily items have enough fluoride in them to make acycle start again. I have lost function of part of one kidney, the pain points from the tears are still tender. I like manyam disabled.

Posted byWilliam on September 9, 2014

My story begins about ten years ago, in 2004, when I was prescribed a fluoroquinolone antibiotic by my MD,probably for a sinus infection or sore throat. I had a severe and immediate reaction to whatever drug this was (hisrecord is surprisingly ambiguous as to what he actually put me on!), where after three or four days, I could barelywalk, especially up stairs. I tried to tough it out, but my feet felt like I was wearing lead boots. I called my MD, whotold me I was having "peripheral neuropathy", and he told me to stop the drug, which I did. My symptoms never fullywent away, which I can only describe as a constant tingling in my feet and shins, like having novocaine there. Inever had any symptoms like this before this. In 2009, the same MD put me on levaquin (he once explained to methat people in New York City, where I live, are exposed to a lot, so he felt antibiotics like amoxicillin were in-effective,so fluoroquinolone's were his "go to" antibiotics). In March of 2009, when I was put on levaquin, I did not noticeanything unusual at first, just the "normal" cold hands and feet in the winter, and the tingling that I was used to bynow, BUT in the spring, as the weather warmed, I noticed that my feet were still really cold, and were actually gettingnumb. I am not one to go to doctor's easily, and I ignored this, until the fall, when I realized that this numbness wasworsening and traveling up my legs. I lived with the progressive numbness for a while, and ultimately saw aneurologist. I now have seen several neurologist's over the years, who have done a ton of blood testing from Lyme'sdisease to diabetes to heavy metal poisoning to raynaud's testing, HIV testing, have had two spinal mri's, skin grafttests, B12 deficiency testing, auto immune testing, etc. all of which again were normal. My MD continued to put meon these antibiotics, to the tune of at least nine times in the past ten years whenever I went to him for the flu or sinusinfections, etc. At this point, I was at wit's end to try to get a diagnosis from someone, as my symptoms wereprogressing. I was now having increasing difficulty walking up stairs, walking distances, would wake up at night with

muscle cramps in my legs below my knees, wake up in the AM with numb feet and legs and hands with a lot ofmuscle fasciculations,(have had carpal tunnel ruled out as well), developed psoriasis in my shins, and fatigue easily.I decided to go to page ten of a google search, and discovered toxic reactions to fluoroquinolone antibiotics (whichapparently cross the blood brain barrier, and can cause severe neurological symptoms), and discovered a wholecommunity of people severely affected by these drugs, with similar symptoms as mine. Until this point, I hadn'trealized that my symptoms could actually be from a drug reaction. Until this started ten years ago, I was a gymgoing, healthy guy who ate well and kept his weight down. I am now 59. My symptoms are progressively worsening,I have difficulty walking, especially up stairs, my feet feel like I am wearing lead boots and always feel numb and burnafter walking, am very fatigued and wake up with numb hands. Thank you for listening. Peace

Posted bydebbie ojibwayon September 8, 2014

my life has been destroyed by the use of levaquin and cipro.i was treated with levaquin for a suspected sinusinfection in february 2013 while also using a steroid at the time.my doctor stated when asked about this drug that itwas perfect for me that the only rare symptom was in individuals over 60 years with underlying health conditions andthat in those cases it could cause tears in the achiles tendons and she felt i had no worries.by day eight of taking thismedicine i had horrid pain in both shoulders and when i called the doctor she stated it couldn't be caused from themedicine and to continue taking it for the next two days until it was gone.the pain became excrutiating and i was sentto a specialist who put me on prednisone and a series of 3 steroid injections,soon after i had horrid abdominalpain,nausea,vomiting,pain from head to foot,mental fog etc. i ended up having my gallbladder removed and lost 35pounds in three weeks time.during gallbladder surgery they gave me cipro in the IV which i had a reaction to rightaway but they just slowed the drip down and continued to infuse it.i have had many tests,images,seen many differentdoctors and have been treated with many different drugs and 19 months out here i am with no relief and no answersto help what these drugs have done to me.i lost my job,my livelihood,my health,have been denied disability and amunable to work as most days i barely function.my life has been ruined in every way possible because of these drugsthat did not have the appropriate warning and was misused with me for the condition i was treated for when therewere other drugs that could have and should have been used if they had even bothered to do a culture to make surei even needed them.we put our trust in the doctors and medicine they treat us with and do not expect to be lab ratsfor the big pharma just for them to gain profit.this misuse and misinformation needs to be dealt with,there have beenso many individuals who have been harmed that should never have taken these drugs in the first place.these type ofdrugs should only be used as a last resort not the first choice like it is so many times,they need to be regulated intheir use.one cannot even imagine how horrid the symptoms are from these drugs without going through itthemselves, but i can tell you i wish they would have taken my life rather then to leave me in this state of pain thatmost likely will not get better and more probable to get worse over time.i can't even remember what normal feels likeanymore and before these drugs i had an active productive life with a hopeful future and now....i just don't know if i'llever have a so called life again.

Posted byTerry Astonon September 8, 2014

How My Life Got High Jacked by: Terry Aston September 8, 2014Prior to 1991, I was healthy, fit, athletic. I loved the sun and the outdoors. I worked the night shift summers, so Icould water ski every day, rain or shine. I was a happy.Then one fate-changing day in 1991, I was prescribed Cipro.Thus began a slow slide of debilitating symptoms multiplied time and time again by repeated prescriptions of Ciproand other fluoroquinolone antibiotics (Levaquin, Avelox).It took me 20 years to finally discover what was happening to me – with no help from my doctor, the medicalcommunity at large, the drug companies, the FDA – not any single person or organization whose purpose it is toprotect patients like me.How could my doctor harm me this way, never connect the dots, never realize he was poisoning my body over andover again? It was one thing after another: Coughing spells, allergic reactions, eye problems, debilitating joint pain. Isit not the doctor’s job to consider the side effect of what he prescribes? Is it not the responsibility of drug companiesto clearly state warnings? Is it not the role of the FDA to make sure drugs capable of such irreversible damage aremore closely regulated for the protection of citizens?My doctor shrugged and kept prescribing. The corporations continued marketing these dangerous antibiotics forroutine infections. Over time, the FDA issued not just one, but two so-called black box warnings. They were too little,too late for most people, and continue to be useless protection against what pharmaceutical reps say a drug is goodfor over dinner and drinks (or worse, when doctors have a financial stake is the success of the drug company).Meanwhile, me? I have become completely disabled. It’s a crime. My life was hijacked-- stolen from me. I’ve workedhard all my life. I made sure I could wear many hats to keep myself employed. I earned licenses in cosmetology,CDL class A, phlebotomy, bartending. FQs took me down, I was a rare thing: a lady truck driver. I was a car hauler,driving and loading tractor trailers with brand new cars to the dealerships. I was a strong, self-sufficient woman . . .until I couldn’t read the VIN numbers anymore, and the chronic pain and muscle weakness made it unsafe for me tokeep driving. My trucking career ended, and wasted was the $5,000 spent on driver school. Now I am a welfarerecipient, and can barley care for myself. Keeping my house on $730.00 per month is impossible. Food sensitivitiesare caused by fluoroquinolone toxicity. I have a specialized, very limited diet because I am now allergic to so manythings. Simply getting proper nourishment on $165.00 in food stamps is a constant struggle.I lost my family because of my illness. Not even my own mother would look beyond the false sense of security the

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I lost my family because of my illness. Not even my own mother would look beyond the false sense of security theFDA gives to read or understand that my illness is real, and devastating. What could make this terrible illnessworse? The shame we face as our doctors, employers, friends and family don’t believe us, because it is too hard toimagine such a thing could happen in America in the 21st century.In 1991, prior to starting a new job, I was prescribed Cipro. I soon complained to my doctor about a painful burningsensation in my feet. He said it was fatigue from standing on my feet all day. I complained about cracking andpopping joints, dry, swollen eyes, back pain. He said I was “getting old.” I was in my early 30s. I was prescribedAmbien for insomnia. I complained repeatedly of not feeling well. Dr. Hyle never took a culture of any kind, butinsisted I had infections, and continued prescribing me Cipro time and again. In 1994, he diagnosed me with ChronicFatigue, and prescribed Cipro. He told me I was depressed. I was not. My body was being poisoned. Still, I managedto work through the pain.In 2003, I was prescribed Avelox. I returned to Dr. Hyle complaining about the increasing pain and eye problems.

The sicker I got, the more I was prescribed the very fluoroquinolones that were harming me. After Cipro, it wasLevaquin. Then he sent me to a pain clinic where I was given steroid injections known to dramatically raise the riskof adverse effects of FQs. But I didn’t know that then, and no one who should have known bothered asking aboutother medications. Dentist Richard Jaffe totaled me by mixing the Cipro and Levaquin with steroids, lidocaine andnitrous oxide. Not one doctor would help me with what was clearly an adverse reaction to mega doses offluoroqinolones. I even went to Johns Hopkins only to be prescribed more Levaquin!My pharmacy records show I have been prescribed 250 pills of Fluoroquinolones.It is a wonder I am even alive.Not once was I suffering from a life-threatening infection that required such a potent drug.I paid Dr. Hyle to take care of my health, and he destroyed my body. He prescribed an obscene amount of Levaquinto me – harming me – while simultaneously being paid handsomely for “research” by the makers of Levaquin,Johnson and Johnson (Source: Dollars for Doctors, ProPublica).Today I am now pretty much house bound and disabled. I became active in Facebook forums, searching foranswers, and found thousands of people who share my story, people who exchange information, ideas, andemotional support.The drug companies may tell you this affects 1% of patients, but anecdotally, it is more like 1 in 4 will have somesevere reaction. Our numbers are growing every day. We are organized, and working together to seek action.Fluoroquinolone Toxicity MUST be stopped. It is time for our government to stand up on behalf of the PEOPLE beingharmed by these medications.We’re asking you to call on the FDA to recall or reclassify Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics so they are never used forsuspected or routine infections again. We’re asking you to help us secure funding for independent research ontreatment plans for victims. And we’re asking for standardized diagnostic codes that recognize our illness and itscause, to manage insurance benefits as well as track the true impact of FQ toxicity, which is frequentlymisdiagnosed as one of many autoimmune disorders of unknown cause. The cause is known. It’s time to take astand.

You can join us on Facebook “Fluoroquinolone Toxicty 24/7 Live Chat”

Posted byGinnyon September 8, 2014

Simply said......My life has been 100% ruined by Fluoroquinolone Toxicity....100% RUINED........

Posted byAlan Tannenbaumon September 8, 2014

My wife was prescribed these drugs twice. The first dose caused her two years of suffering with severe pain mostlyin her feet and hands (peripheral neuropathy). Neither her nor any practitioner she saw tied her problem to antibioticintake. This past February she was prescribed Levaquin at a quik care center for an upper respiratory problem aftercontracting the flue, contraindicated for someone suffering from peripheral neuropathy. This is when the tendonproblems and disorientation began. The sad part is that when she showed up at her regular doctor with thesymptoms, her regular doctor had no knowledge of Levaquin Toxicity Syndrome and had to look it up on the netcommenting "Gee, I prescribe these all the time."

Posted byD Behanon September 7, 2014

In response to Mary Patrice's comment, I believe you and I am Irish and I completely get your comment. You arevery brave to speak about this. I was prescribed Cipro in November 2012 for a UTI and within 24 hours I felt that Iwas physically and mentally falling apart. Took it for another 18 hours (because I was in no fit state not to) andbecause I was so desperate to get well and then begged my GP to let me stop it and please give me something else.With a complication of a flu vaccine a few days earlier and underlying undiagnosed mercury poisoning from amalgamfillings, infected root canal fillings and stress, I really feel the Cipro tipped me over. I am on a rollercoaster ofrecovery now and I hope that the short duration of exposure to the Cipro won't weigh too heavily on my future health.

Posted byBobby L Severnon September 7, 2014

Bobby Severn, 78 year old healthy, active male, was diagnosed with diverticulitis, even thought there was noelevated white count to indicate an infection, was hospitalized for two two days and given IV Cipro and Flagil.Discharged after 48 hours and sent home with a script for Avelox for seven days.. No warnings about Avelox exceptfor tendon problems. Called WalMart pharmacy, and called another active pharmacist friend, and they denied anyknowledge of problems with Avelox. Later I found out that the never dispense Avelox. Day 2 of the Avelox, began toreally feel really bad, fever 101, loss of appetite, malaise, pain in his legs. Doc said to to continue on medicine.Continued to get worse with symptoms and saw attending physician twice to no avail. Fevers up to 103 and infrustration went to Infectious Disease specialist. Hospitalized for 17days with every test in the book with nosignificant findings. Finally discharged, unable to walk, so weak in a wheel chair, lost 30 pounds, B/P so low it wascritical and many other symptoms. After five days at home, drove him 6 hours to Duke Medical Where was admitted via ER, and he was a patient for 5fays. Doctor at Duke said it was S.S. Discharged to return to Charleston with tests still pending.Duke called and said to get get him immediately to a Rheumatologist as he he was off the charts for a Dx.Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus.One year later he is taking multiple drugs for Lupus, Prednisone, Plaquinel, and max. dose of Cellcept, an antirejection drug that disables the immune system. He now has to take 16 pills per day and may be on them the rest ofhis now shortened life. I believe he was poisoned with Avelox which was supposed to be drug of last resort and adrug he never even needed.

Posted byDawnon September 7, 2014

I was always a healthy person until I had multiple bladder infections. I was always prescribed ciprofloxacin for this. Istarted having many problems like muscle aches, headaches, numb legs, and memory/ concentration issues. I wasdiagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007. I was also diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I have been diagnosed withmany health problems over the years and since reading your article I believe it all was brought on by taking thismedication many times in a short period of time. In 2011 I was diagnosed with pneumonia and was given this again,three times. Prior to all of my health problems I was a waitress and I am also mother to five children. These kids areyounger and very active. I can't do all that they want as I'm always tired, have severe nerve pain not only in my legsbut in my arms that cause tremors. My life has deteriorated so much since 2006 with never any explanation from thedoctors. My fibromyalgia was idiopathic. My peripheral neuropathy has no known cause. It all makes sense. It allstarted when I was prescribed this medication quite a few times, and in a short period of time. Thank you for postingthis article. It's certainly very informative not only for me but for others that have no explanation for their problems.

Posted byJane Crosbyon September 1, 2014

Thank you Brenda Craig, for helping the Fluoroquinolone community bring the truth about this class of antibiotic tolight. I have been chronically and severely damage by Levaquin since November of 2009. One pill was like a landmine for me and countless other unsuspecting people. I was not aware that I was prescribed a drug so dangerous itrequired a black box warning. A safer antibiotic was never offered. Neither the doctor nor the pharmacist mentionedeven a word of caution me. I live in fear of my future as fluoroquinolones damage the mitochondrial and nuclear DNAof our cells. This damage is progressive. This is not acceptable, period. Again I thank you for bringing attention toour cause, humanity thanks you.

Posted bySheila Karpison September 1, 2014

I had a fairly normal life, for a 46 year old, wife, and mother of 3. Until I was prescribed Levaquin, for a kidneyinfection. After a few days, I noticed I was confused and not myself. I mentioned this to the Dr. I made a real rookiemistake at my job, and got fired. Then I started a new job. I had been taking Levaquin for 2 weeks at that point. Thefirst few weeks were horrible. I was exhausted, my feet and hands were aching. I could not believe the amount I wassweating as well. I kept going back to my Dr and telling him the medication was making me ill. I felt like I had run amarathon, with the worst flu I'd ever had. He said to continue the medication. I ended us seeing another Dr., andfound out I didn't even have a kidney infection, he had not done a culture. And I had been floxed. I have not worked

found out I didn't even have a kidney infection, he had not done a culture. And I had been floxed. I have not workedin 4 years. I have, in order of diagnosis; Tendonitis, busitis, plantar fasciatis, leukemia, migraines, osteo arthritis,rhumatoid arthritis, hypothroid, and tennitis. I filed a complaint against the prescribing Dr. as he had originallyprescribed 83 days of levaquin. I believe I would have been dead before I finished the script. I stopped taking themafter 30 days, myself. The College of Physicians and Surgeons found him to be negligent in my complaint. I wouldrecommend anyone who believes they have been wrongly diagnosed, or being forced to take a medication theybelieve is harming them...file a complaint with the college of physicians and Surgeons, in Canada. I also want tothank Mark G. for spearheading all of our groups. He has helped us all so much. Most of us had very little idea ofwhat had happened to us, and even less on how to make ourselves feel better. Thanx Mark

Posted byMrs. L. Kaderon September 1, 2014

Thank you for this article. I am a member of some of Mr. Girard's groups, and his knowledge and compassion areimmeasurable.

I was floxed almost three years ago. Although I had been prescribed Cipro many times for supposed attacks ofdiverticulitis, but eventually it was discovered that I was misdiagnosed. But before that happened, while on Cipro, adoctor in an emergency room switched me off Cipro and put me on Levaquin. That's the one that got me.

After taking only five doses, I was hardly able to walk. I could feel that it was the connective tissue around my kneesthat was causing the problem, and a surgeon with his intern both looked at each other and said "Levaquin," then thesurgeon told me to stop taking it immediately. Interestingly, I didn't need the colon surgery, and I never saw thisdoctor again. I've been to several other doctors since, but none of them takes me seriously when I tell them I waspoisoned by Levaquin!

I immediately stopped taking the Levaquin. The pains eased a bit, but I have few days when I don't have residualtendon pain in my knees, shoulders, and forearms, not to mention a serious sensitivity in my Achilles tendon. I amafraid to walk because it hurts so much.

Both of my parents died within the last few months, and as I tended to my father, I had to give him Levaquin (whichbroke my heart further) through a feeding tube. I forgot to crush the large pill to dissolve it in water before putting itinto his feeding tube, so I picked up the wet pill to start again. Within an hour or so, I had very sharp pain in an insidetendon of my left forearm, which moved into my shoulder, my heart area, and eventually the tendons behind my leftknee -- just from touching the "medicine."

I still work full time as a 911 dispatcher, but moving getting in and out of the building, sitting with my knees bent forlong periods of time, and moving around the radio room as needed are agony. I can't stand up long enough to doanything meaningful as far as taking care of my house. I wonder if I will ever be healed, and the fear of being aninvalid and a drain on my husband jolts me all the time.

Thanks again for a good article. And thank you so much to Mr. Girard for the help and support he provides so manyof us floxies.

Posted byPaulineon September 1, 2014

Thank you for publishing this article and building awareness. 15 years ago, I was given Cipro (a fluoroquinoloneantibiotic) for a minor infection that developed from a small scratch on my leg. By day 3 of taking the Cipro, I wascovered in hives and rashes, struggling to breathe and hospitalized for a week. Doctors had no diagnosis exceptthat an autoimmune antibody had showed up in my bloodwork. What followed was 36 different tests, biopsies andspecialists over a 6 month period. I became hypersensitive to everything in the environment and in the food. I hadbeen strong, healthy, athletic until that first dose of Cipro. But suddenly I was forced to become a recluse and stay inmy house around the clock. I was a sole breadwinner with my own business and raising a child totally on my own.But this sudden inexplicable illness caused me to sell my business at a loss (because I was too sick to negotiate adecent price). I gave up on doctors after the first year because they could not find a reason other than to suggestthat I probably needed to be more social - since I was spending too much time by myself! Ha ha. What a farce! Atone point, I slipped and tore a tendon in my thigh. It would not heal. I nearly lost my leg and needed 18 months ofnurse visits. My family has faced homelessness and spent 3 years without basic utilities (heat, hot water, etc)because I can't work outside of the house and can't get a proper medical diagnosis. It's hard to pay the bills when

this goes on for 15 years. Every day is a hussle. There's no end in sight and apparently no way to diagnose or cure.My life is ruled by this illness and in fact, I am not even able to attend my daughter's wedding this month because Iam too fragile. Doctors keep trying to prescribe Cipro to me whenever I show up at the emergency. It's maddeningthat they are still feeding this to people with minor infections. These drugs are too powerful to be a first line ofdefense. Something's got to change!

Posted byMark Girardon September 1, 2014

Thank you so much Brenda for writing such a great article! This will add to people's awareness of this horribleproblem. According to the Levaquin package insert around 3% of people reported adverse reactions in their tiny twomonth study but we know the numbers are really much higher. Considering that these are some of the mostprescribed antibiotics in the world the number of people who have been affected must be staggering; the problem isthat people almost never think about the antibiotic they took weeks, months, even years before when their tendonruptures or neuropathy flares up or any of a hundred or more other things go wrong. There are millions of us outthere but only a few thousand who are aware of what went wrong in their lives and why. Instead they aremisdiagnosed with fibo or chronic fatigue or any of dozens of other catch-all diagnosis doctors use when they can'tfigure out what is really wrong with a patient. Of course they never look at the obvious, the toxic chemicals theyprescribe every day. Clueless doctors living in denial are a huge part of nearly every floxie's experience. I haveseen dozens of them and none will admit the obvious, that I was floxed. This is a massive ongoing crime againsthumanity being committed by the pharmaceutical industry and the doctors are complicit in this crime with their willfulignorance of the truth. Most of us have a collection of symptoms that reads like the package insert. When victimsarrive in our groups it is a catharsis, like a ton of lead has been lifted from our shoulders, so very clearly exactlywhat has happened to us, but can we convince our doctors. Until recently the answer has been a solid no but weare slowly making headway and research like the study you reported on last week keep adding the momentum weare building. Someday some executives will go to prison for this and the whole sordid affair will be the subject of aHollywood movie but until then we will continue to suffer without recognition and many many more people will beneedlessly floxed. Thanks again for doing your part to end this tragedy a bit sooner. Mark Girard

Posted byMARY PATRICE KINNAVANEon August 31, 2014

I was floxed in May 2009 by a Libyan lady doctor doing locum .I lost my walk and no way will they admit they werewrong. The Medical Profession are so arrogant. The Registrar admitted that I should not have been given "Tavanic"it is called in Ireland. I really did not have a clue what had happened to me. I am asthmatic and was taking steroidswhen they gave me IV Levaquin. They will not take responsibility and I would love an apology for what they did tome,but they persist in giving me pain killers which I take every day more and more. My life is absolutely fecked Ihave no energy cannot swim as the two shoulders are shredding My whole life is over as I can only walk to the carto go to the shop and back to bed. My Achilles tendon was ruptured and I had lots of physio to no avail. I cannot doevery day things I was able to do as I am a widow this 12 years and my kids live abroad so I am very bitter to beunable to visit them. Anyway they are very unbelieving about what happened to me. None of the Irish people believethat Levquin could do such awful damage to one. I am so pissed off of the whole thing that I seldom talk about it.

Posted byCheri Haddonon August 31, 2014

Mark Girard has been a blessing to the FQ Community..He brings so many people together that need help andsupport, and keeps track of so many things for us. Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics have taken my life away at the age of22. I've been sick and disabled for three years after taking just five pills of Cipro. Unlike Mark, I was given Cipro for asuspected UTI, and there was no need to give me such a dangerous antibiotic for that. I am now 25 years old andam still completely house bound and unable to leave the house most days. I often feel too bad to even watch TV orhold a conversation. The damage FQs cause are widespread and unimaginable.. I hope and pray that people canbecome more educated about these drugs so no more lives are ruined.

Posted byPatricia Irelandon August 30, 2014

My life was devastated by levaquin, a commonly prescribed fluoroquinolone drug. I was prescribed it as a"prophylactic measure" (I had no infection) while on a high dose of prednisone and Ibufrofen during an asthmaexacerbation. The doctor who prescribed was totally unaware of the boxed warnings, and the issues withprescribing while on corticosteroids or the age issues. In addition, I was forced to take a generic form of the drug bymy insurance company, so I have no legal recourse. I have been damaged since October of 2012, unable to work,and on disability since November of 2013 ( had to go 6 months of being disabled before qualifying for disability).

and on disability since November of 2013 ( had to go 6 months of being disabled before qualifying for disability).These drugs should be regulated in their use. They do have a legitimate role in the cases of antibiotic resistantbacterial infections, but should never be be prescribed for minor infections or when no actual infection is present.

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