I am a 30 year old male firefighter in Southern California. Before I was damaged by Cipro I was in excellent health and in great shape. I had a yearly physical where I was always told I was in optimal heath. I also was very into fitness and played competitive soccer. On October 6th, 2014 I was prescribed Cipro. I had to stop taking the medication because of the adverse affect I had three weeks into my prescription. The two doctors I see now have diagnosed me with fluoroquinolone tendonosis and mitochondrial damage. My symptoms include severe pain in my hamstrings, hips, knees, ankles, tendons behind my knees and ankles, extreme muscle fatigue, chronic fatigue (have no energy, cold extremities, loss of hair, and twitching of my muscles.) I used to be able to work out every day at a high intensity. Now, I can no longer even perform the smallest errands. I have met 1000s of people who suffer just as I do, many are worse off than myself.

This has changed every aspect of my life. I can no longer perform the job of a firefighter which I have wanted to do since I was 3. I can no longer play with my 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter the way I want to. I had to sell my dream home. I am scared for how I am going to take care of the baby my amazing wife is carrying. When someone goes through this much pain multiply that number by 20 because that is how many lives are changed.

How can the FDA and a few doctors acknowledge that this types of life changing adverse effects are possible, and so many doctors are unaware? I work in the medical field and have spoken to many doctors. Many say that “these adverse effects aren’t possible because the FDA would pull them off the market if they were”, “The adverse effects only last while a patient is taking the medication”, or “this only affects people who are sick with other medical problems”. It is time for the FDA to share with doctors how dangerous these drugs are so they can make a proper decision when deciding the risk-gain for taking this antibiotic.