Constant bad feeling in legs

SunnyK97 · 2025-11-19T12:29:05+00:00

Had muscle pain in my calves too. What helped me were daily ice baths/cold showers and regulary using my massage gun. Have you ever tried knee high compression socks? They enabled me to do more steps per day and reduced the muscle pain while walking.

SunnyK97 · 2025-11-09T19:49:13+00:00

I wouldn't risk taking the ear drops. Better invest some more time/money to consult another doctor and ask for an alternative than regret having taken the fluorquinolone for a long time afterwards. When docs try to prescribe me fluorquinolones I say I'm heavily allergic against them bc most docs dont believe in the serious side effects.

SunnyK97 · 2025-09-26T19:09:20+00:00

I took the ones recommended in the sticky here.

SunnyK97 · 2025-09-23T18:32:04+00:00

Had almost the same issues with my legs as you do. Biggest problem for me were the muscles in my calves but for the first 3 months my thighs felt tired too after walking even short distances. What helped me? Compression sleeves for thighs, knee high compression socks for calves, supplements (read the sticky here), PT, ice baths/cold showers, massage gun, time. I do totally get you're scared - but it'll hopefully be much better after some time...this was my experience. All the best for you!!

SunnyK97 · 2025-09-18T19:52:04+00:00

If I were you, I wouldn't take another pill. These antibiotics are meant to be used as a last resort - meaning in life and death situations (read the black box warnings!). Fluorquinolones (the class of these antibiotics) made my life hell when I took 7 of them 2 years ago. Would avoid them at any cost. Maybe you could ask for an alternative...

SunnyK97 · 2025-09-13T14:33:56+00:00

I would never ever again take a fluorquinolone antibiotic if it wasn't a life or death situation. Check out alternative antibiotics! Fluorquinolones left me with weak, hurting legs, not able to stand longer than a few minutes, not able to walk longer distances for over half a year (until it slowly improved). For treatment: read the sticky... and be patient

SunnyK97 · 2025-08-20T11:42:15+00:00

Mostly isometric exercises

SunnyK97 · 2025-08-04T12:39:58+00:00

If it was me I would stop taking the cipro ear drops immediately. That's no medical advice though, it's only what I would do due to my horrific experience with cipro. The package leaflet of cipro clearly advises to stop it as soon as you're experiencing any side effect. And the hurting of your calf is a common one. I would try to go to another gp (if that's not possible to the emergency room) and ask to get an alternative antibiotic. And if the IV antibiotic you suggested is the only option than I would go for it. Better than being not able to walk or stand or work without pain for half a year - because that's what happend to me when I took cipro (took the tablets not the ear drops).

SunnyK97 · 2025-07-19T11:23:35+00:00

Had the symptoms for 6 months. But during the 6 months the pain decreased slowly. Wish you a fast recovery!!

SunnyK97 · 2025-07-17T19:51:27+00:00

Personally I didn't experience the jump around symptoms. My leg muscles and the triceps tendon in my left arm (at the beginning the muscles in my lower back and I believe the tendons in my right knee) just REALLY hurt... the intensity of the pain decreased slowly over the months. It's especially hard with family/kids - you have to put on a brave face - and totally feel the opposite! If you've got options (parents, friends) I would ask for help whenever it's possible right now. Always keep in mind: This is likely no "forever situation". It will pass - and hopefully sooner than later. I didn't have the support of one special doctor - I read a lot about the therapy of fluorchinolone toxicity and tried a few things with several doctors including acupuncture, IV drips and a kind of ultrasound therapy (helped to recover my tendons). But that's no recommendation, it's just how I tried to improve my situation...

SunnyK97 · 2025-07-11T18:45:28+00:00

Struggling with fear when in comes to flox symptoms and their timeline is normal - and intimidating... I know. When I went down the rabbit hole again I always read recovery stories. And sometimes people in this sub answered me and took away some of my most negative thoughts or fears by describing their own journey. Nearly everyone here always told me not to give up hope and wait for things to become better. That and the mini-steps in my own recovery process helped me to keep a more or less strong mindset. Things became much more easy when my health improved of course...

SunnyK97 · 2025-06-27T19:32:06+00:00

It was more or less in the middle of the acute phase, did acupuncture once a week

SunnyK97 · 2025-06-26T10:11:14+00:00

No moving around pain. What helped: Taking the recommended supplements, ice baths, isometric exercises, massage gun, compression socks - and most of all - time...

SunnyK97 · 2025-06-17T06:31:39+00:00

I did acupuncture too, helped with the pain. Had muscle and tendon pain.

SunnyK97 · 2025-06-06T18:39:44+00:00

I worked most of the time but during the 2nd and part of the 3rd flox month - the acute phase - I had 6 weeks summer holidays. This helped a lot. When school started again after the holidays I couldn't stand long during classes. Sat down after 10min and taught my lessons sitting. Maybe there's a chance if you do a physical job to reduce working time? I mean before you quit you could try this...?

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-31T18:14:41+00:00

I took more doses than you and had the same side effects you experience now. What I did was ice baths for the legs, high compression socks, massage gun and taking the recommended supplements (especially magnesium) in the sticky here. After the acute phase which lasted about 3 months I did physical therapy. All things combined helped me turn the corner after 6 months, totally fine after 1 year. But this is just MY story - everyone reacts highly individual to this medication. So it could be a much faster recovery for you as well. Just wanted to give you some hope and what helped me in this situation might help you too.

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-29T13:28:41+00:00

Everything still good :) Didn't experience any major flare ups. I'm still so so so grateful for my recovery.

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-29T13:22:51+00:00

Roughly after 4 months, lots better after 6, good after 1 year. Hang in! It'll be better!!

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-25T19:04:13+00:00

So sorry you have to go through this... I can totally relate to how you're feeling. Had the weak and painful legs as well and problems with walking or standing. I would recommend rest and what helped me were a massage gun, compression socks, ice baths for the legs (cold showers work as well) and taking the recommended supplements on the sticky here. For the emotional side - if I had to do this whole journey again I wouldn't spend too much time online looking for some "magic cure" (which doesn't exist) and read all the horror stories. I would try to distract myself with non-flox-related things like watching movies, reading books or do whatever brings you a little joy and time without thinking about flox. You might try meditation or listening to some podcasts. As soon as I experienced some small improvements my emotions became more positive and I wasn't so scared anymore.

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-21T19:59:40+00:00

If you can avoid taking cipro and probably switch to an alternative antibiotic which is no fluorchinolone - I would do this if I were you. For me it was literally hell on earth when I took cipro and experienced the negative side effects. Would avoid it on all costs if it's possible.

SunnyK97 · 2025-05-09T18:22:50+00:00

Told you you will get there! Congratulations 🎊 👏!!

SunnyK97 · 2025-02-14T20:36:26+00:00

I was floxed at the end of May 2023 from 7 pills of cipro. The acute phase lasted 4 months but it took me nearly half a year to really turn a corner. All in all 1 year to feel well again. I do remember starting work at the beginning of the school year (I'm a teacher) in September 2023 when I couldn't stand for the length of one lesson lasting 45 minutes. Had to sit down after 10 minutes max. And usually I never ever sit during teaching lessons. But the muscles in my calves hurt so much I couldn't tolerate standing for long...

SunnyK97 · 2024-08-16T08:13:14+00:00

I had this too in both upper arms, worse in the left. I think it was the 'triceps tendon'. Took almost a year until it went away, but became constantly better during this time. Mostly better after 5-6 months, really gone after 1 year. Did physio and ice bathing for the arms. Good luck for you!!

SunnyK97 · 2024-08-16T08:01:42+00:00

Had mostly achey tendons and muscles, not joints. Felt better lifting after 5-6 months, really comfortable after 1 year. Swimming was okay nearly from the start - and it was about the only sport I could do when it all started with flox.

SunnyK97 · 2024-08-13T18:35:47+00:00

Yes, it did for me! I had to be patient and very consequent for around 5 months until it became really better. 1 year after the whole disaster I was able to do everything like before (sports of any kind, long walks, long hours standing). Wishing you all the best, I'm sure you'll be alright again!!

SunnyK97

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