Cipro and antibiotic

I took Cipro for a UTI and from the first pill I took I felt like I was going to die. My head hurt so bad that I thought it was going to explode. I thought maybe it was just fighting the infection so I kept taking it. The more I took the more I felt sick my tendons in my legs hurt so bad and my neck and shoulders hurt like nothing I ever felt before. On day three I phoned the pharmacist and he told me that side effects from cipro never happen and that if I was really concerned go to the doctor and get a new antibiotic which I did. I was so mad when I went online and read the side effects of this terrible drug.
I stopped taking the Cipro and felt much better within a day but it took weeks for my muscles to feel better.
I will never take this drug again nor will I let my kids. I tell everyone I know to ask for a different antibiotic if given this one.

DRUG: CIPRO FOR UTI. NOV 08. FEMALE AGE 52.

STARTED ON CIPRO FOR UTI ON 11/15/08. I TOLD MY DOCTOR THAT CIPRO IS A EVIL ANTIBIOTIC. I STOPPED TAKING CIPRO ON 11/18/08 WHEN I WOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE PAIN IN MY JOINTS AND THE RIPPING AND BURNING IN MY CALFS. I FINALLY GOT OUT OF BED AND COULD HARDLY WALK. I DISCOVERED THAT MY TOES, FINGERS, ELBOWS, BOTH KNEES WERE SEVERELY SWOLLEN. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED ALMOST ALL OF THE SIDE EFFECTS AS LISTED IN THE "PACKAGE INSERT" THAT CAME WITH CIPRO.

BEGINNING MY FIRST DOSE ON SAT. AFTERNOON (11/15) I THOUGHT I HAD THE FLU ALONG WITH THE UTI AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING MY FEVERS OF 102.9 WHICH I KEEP DOWN THRU IBUPROFIN. THE BLOATED STOMACH AND TENDERNESS WAS EXPLAINED FROM MY FRIEND WHO WORKS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AS PROBABLY CAUSED FROM THE INGREDIENTS IN THE ANTIBIOTIC THAT DESTROY OUR OWN BODIES "NATURAL ENYSEMS"
I ALSO WAS CONSTIPATED FOR 4 DAYS. (I HAVE BEEN DAILY ALL MY LIFE). EXTREME FATIGUE KEPT ME EITHER ON THE COUCH OR IN BED, I NEVER SLEPT SO MUCH IN MY LIFE. I LOSSED ALL MY APPETITE, WAS DIZZY, AND VERY SICK OF BEING SICK. I ALSO HAD PERIODS WHERE I WOULD JUST START CRYING (ONE TIME I REMEMBER OVER THE DOG AND NOT WALKING IT) EMOTIONALLY, I WOULD BEST DESCRIBE MYSELF AS HAVING SEVERE MOOD SWINGS. ALSO HAD HEART PALPITATIONS. , SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ODD TASTE IN MOUTH WAS ANOTHER "EXPERIENCE" WHILE ON MY JOY RIDE WITH CIPRO.

TODAY IS SATURDAY, 1 WEEK LATER - ANTIBIOTIC FREE FOR 4 DAYS. I STILL HAVE EXTREME SWOLLEN JOINTS AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE AROUND ALTHOUGHT ITS BETTER. TODAY I CAME DOWN IN THE BASEMENT TO LAUNDRY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LAST SATURDAY. (I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY HOUSEHOLD CHORES ALL THIS TIME). RIGHT NOW, MY HIPS AND BUTT ARE SORE FROM SITTING - MAYBE BECAUSE LAST Night I WENT TO BED AT 7:00 pm AND WOKE UP AGAIN AT 6:00 AM OR IS IT BECAUSE OF THE SWOLLEN JOINTS SIDE EFFECT. I DO FEEL BETTER AND AM HOPEFUL THAT ALL OF MY ACHES AND PAINS WILL GO AWAY. I STILL AM NOT 100%, I STILL AM EXPERIENCING PERIODS OF WANTING TO PUKE, AND HEADACHES COME AND GO.

I WILL NEVER TAKE CIPRO AGAIN. WHAT I REALLY WOULD LIKE IS TO TAKE THE COMPANY DOWN THAT PRODUCES THIS DRUG. THIS DRUG SEEMS TO ATTACK A INDIVIDUALS "WEAK SPOTS" AND MAGNIFY THE SYMPTOMS. I AM PRAYING THAT ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS ARE TEMPORARY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE AND BLESS EACH ONE US WHO HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF THE EVIL ANTIBIOTIC "CIPRO".

I was prescribed Cipro for 2 surgeries I had last week. When I picked it up from the pharmacy, the pharmacist told me to drink a lot of water as much as possible because it has a dehydrating effect and he told me it makes you more sensitive to the sun so if I have to be outdoors, to limit my time and apply sunscreen with a high spf as often as possible. I didn't go outdoors because of that, but Cipro made me very thirsty, but I expected it and drank plenty of fluids. Other than than, I did not have any problems. I never got constipated, it didn't bother my stomach but I always eat something when taking medications because I can't take them on an empty stomach. I didn't have any allergy problems, diarrhea, breathing problems or anything else. In fact, I liked this antibiotic much better than any other one I've ever been on.

I was prescribed 500 mg, twice a day for 5 days for a UTI. Immediate side effects were insomnia, restlessness and feeling sick to my stomach when taken without food - but I didn't really think twice about it. Approx 2 days after my first dose I woke up, was making coffee and got a sharp, VERY painful feeling in my abdomen. Ran into the bathroom and was shocked to see blood in the toilet, along with what appeared to be mucous. The pain went away and I just didn't feel "good" the rest of the day. Went to the bathroom twice with nothing until it happened once again. I went from thinking I had hemorrhoids, cysts, diverticulitis, etc. and almost went to the emergency room until we read the insert that came with my prescription. All of these were clearly listed in it. I stopped taking immediately and it has not happened since. I feel back to normal.

I am a healthy and active 26 year old who couldn't believe this happened. I am now taking Florastore (a probiotic you can buy behind the counter at any pharmacy) and eating Activia yogurt. Wish I had seen this message board before I began taking Cipro.

For all of you suffering on this board I strongly suggest you log unto www.fqresearch.org where you will find over 4000 medical journal entries, case reports, etc., that detail the horrendous damage these drugs are capable of. You will also find a link there for a support forum hosted by yahoo that everyone here is invited to join.

We have been fighting with the FDA since 1999 to get "Black Box" warnings as well as "Dear Doctor" letters sent. Had this been done I doubt that most of you would be suffering like this. This class is a drug of LAST RESORT, and it is not approved as a first line agent for ANY disease state.

It is both shocking and appalling that we see people coming on this site promoting the use of these drugs and chasing you for suffering a reaction. I can assure you this is not "in your head" by any means. These severe adverse reactions have been documented since 1982 within ALL of the leading medical journals. They are THE most toxic and dangerous antibiotic in clinical use today.

But the FDA refuses to provide adequate warnings within the package inserts and Public Citizen has had to SUE them in Federal Court to even have them review their petitions seeking, once again, "Black Box Warnings and Dear Doctor Letters."

Recently Bayer issued a "Dear Doctor" letter in Europe regarding the severe adrs to Avelox. But we find no such letters being written here in the United States.

Anyhow, just a brief note to let you know that you are no alone, your name is "Legions", and we have been fighting on your behalf since 1999.

Regards,

Mr. David T. Fuller
Director
Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation
www.fqresearch.org

I started Cipro about a month ago for a bladder infection. I did not go to my regular dr. but to an immediate care center.
I felt sick initially from taking the Cipro. I assumed it was the bladder infection. I began having extreme muscle weakness and pain. I was dazed and confused. I was unable to eat or sleep. I had leg cramps so bad I could barely walk the next day. My left arm has numbness and tingling pain. My fingers barely function. My right wrist is weak and feels achy all the time. I got a terrible yeast infection after the 2nd day of taking Cipro. I cry very frequently. I am not myself. I am tired, weak and pale. By the way. I was a vibrant, healthy 37 year old female. I took Cipro for 5.5 days. Please Please do not take this antibiotic.
Lea Ann

I was prescribed Cipro for a bacterial infection... 4 days ago. Almost immediately I felt like my stomach turned to stone. Zero appetite. I feel like I can't get out of bed in the morning, with a feeling of morning sickness as if I were pregnant. I had nightmares, but I wasn't sure if it was this or a combination of Cipro and Lomotil.
I was also given Nexium to counteract the burning feeling from the Cipro. The combo made it worse, making my entire stomach and esophagus turn to steel.
It has to be the Cipro that is making me feel this way. It has been 13 hours since the last dose and I still feel like my stomach is full. I find it uncomfortable to even sit down, if I do, I must sit up straight. Or I must stand, but then my back hurts and I have to sit again.
I am, for the most part, a healthy 39 year old woman .. Had an antibiotic one year ago after being spurred by a rooster and before that, 7 years ago, for a sinus infection. Pills just aren't for me. Especially this one.

Thanks