Cheryl J’s Story
My “Wall of Pain” began in July 2014. I was prescribed Levofloxin for sinus congestion. Within 2-3 days I started having some pain in my fingers and shoulders. I was told that the medicine could rarely cause some achillies pain so I did not connect it to the pain I was having. I took ibuprofen along with the levofloxin, not knowing that made reactions worse. By the 6th pill, I had extreme pain in both shoulders,all my fingers and both thumbs. I was a medical assistant and could not do my job. I saw an orthopedist who did an MRI on my C-spine. The results showed several areas of stenosis and disc degeneration. I had done research on fluorquinolones and told him my concerns. He said they only affect one tendon and that comes later on. He totally blew off my concerns. I then saw a rheumatologist who had actually had some patients that had adverse reactions to fluoroquinolones. He did extensive blood work to rule out other diseases. Around this time, my knees ankles and feet we’re also painful. He did diagnose me with pain linked to fluoroquinolones. I had an MRI of my right shoulder showing multiple tendons with tendonopathy/tendonosis, bursal fraying/thickening/irregularity. To date, I suffer from bilateral widespread tendon pain/damage,peripheral neuropathy,a vitreous detachment in my left eye, trouble swallowing,problems with urination,muscle wasting,trouble sleeping and involuntary jerking. I have changed my diet to eating healthy foods and take supplements to support my mitochondria,bones and joint health.I am unable to live the life I once had.I can no longer work and must pay a high premium for health insurance. Most of my day consists of sitting in a high back chair with my feet on an Ottoman. I am no longer thewife,mother,grandmother or friend that I once was. Being in the medical field, I can tell you that the real dangers of these drugs is not known. Something must be done to change that. Too many people are being disabled for no good reason. There is no cure…..LIVES ARE BEING LOST…………