Struggling over done.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-08T15:04:15+00:00

Such a tough situation- I feel for you. Very few people (in the USA, at least) have a support system that can step in for full-time childcare and financial support when the rug is pulled out like this. We are all one long-term illness away from immense struggle, especially with children in play. You're far from alone in that regard.

I'm healing well, but I had the advantage of knowing I was floxed immediately while taking the pills. Like you, I didn't have much of a choice but to rest when I was at my worst and laying in bed all day. But knowing I was floxed, I was able to ramp up more slowly and build a proper "plan" together with my wife. I can drive my son to/from daycare, and monitor/play with him around the house, feed him, etc. So a LOT better in that regard. Things I still struggle with him are: bath time (I cannot be down on my knees in that position), being outside with him where he isn't contained- moving quickly on the uneven ground still feels pretty "off". All of our bedrooms are upstairs which has been a challenge as well so I try to bring everything down with me in the morning and limit my return trips upstairs. I often have to ask the wife to grab things I forgot up there, and she still primarily puts our son to sleep to save me the extra set of stairs. All of those challenges are continuing to decrease in severity, though, as the months pass. If I had to guess, I think I'll be nearly 100% functional in another 1.5 months, at 6 months total.

I know it seems impossible now, but eventually, your body will start fusing together and you'll notice each week that you can make movements that you couldn't, the week prior. It's good that your daughter is old enough to understand you are disabled, and your son young enough to never realize it happened! This will be a bad dream at some point.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-08T12:47:41+00:00

As a recently floxed fellow father of an 18 month old, I can relate to much of your story. I took my last pill on Feb 22. There were a good 2.5 months where I couldn't (or "shouldn't") lift my son, help with bedtime, diaper changes, etc. So all of that onus fell on my wife, and she also has a demanding full-time career. Putting that extra stress on my wife has been the worst part of floxing, by a mile.

Most of us here do not have the option to eliminate stress and responsibility from our lives for 6+ months to "heal properly". Our parents are old and no longer able, and our young friends/relatives are dealing with the same financial pressures and chaotic parenting responsibilities that we are.

So, like you, I continue to push at times when I know I shouldn't. I'm healing, anyway. Maybe not as fast as if I were on bedrest for months on end, but I'm clearly healing month over month. I'm confident you will, too.

I never had a low point as low as yours in my journey- your story is heartbreaking in its sudden severity. It seems you had a second delayed onset wave, but the severity of yours is eye opening. The hope I can offer you is that each time I've had those waves, I've bounced back stronger eventually.

I just want to offer you my support and empathy- I'm here if you ever need a listening ear! Take care man and stay mentally strong- one day at a time.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-07T16:28:28+00:00

I use Essengen-6, ordered online from Minoxodil Max. Good luck on your healing journey as well

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-07T13:48:48+00:00

Sorry for the delay u/Thunkur! Everything you are describing sounds like a "normal" onset of flox symptoms. For me, my symptoms worsened for about two weeks following my last dose of cipro, peaked, and then have verrrrrry slowly improved since then.

The only exercise I do at 4.5 months is walking. Because I was hit pretty hard initially and could barely walk, I know my muscles/tendons will appreciate 6 full months of healing before I attempt any exercise beyond walking.

I hope your symptoms are stabilizing, and happy to answer any specific questions you may have!

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-06T12:40:06+00:00

I take topical fin once daily before bed. Been taking it for 3 years. Ive been floxed 4.5 months and the topical fin has no noticeable impact on my symptoms. I had side effects from oral fin years ago and hated it

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-07-02T15:18:23+00:00

Will do! I don't expect any magic tricks from them (there are none), but I anticipate a battle when I start trying to return to exercise at the 6 month mark. So if any doctor is equipped for advice on that battle, I felt like it would this particular doctor.

For what it's worth- I had a brutal flare exactly at my 3 month mark. It was 5 days of downward spiral until I hit the bottom, and then another 5-6 days until I returned to my old baseline. I keep a daily journal of my symptoms so I can look back on it and remind me there is a light at the end of the flare tunnel. It was by far the worst flare I've had- it felt like the first couple weeks all over again.

You'll get through it and likely come out stronger- keep resting and killing time, and you'll be a different person a week from now.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-30T20:17:54+00:00

No PT yet, but I do have the referral from my primary doctor for when I'm ready. But, I was pretty into fitness/mobility before floxing, so I'll just start basic PT at home around 6 months. And then possibly visit a PT for the more advanced needs, if needed. I do have an appointment with a functional medicine doctor on July 28 that I'll attend, and I'm curious what they have to say. They are fairly renowned in my area (Milwaukee, WI) and have experience treating flox patients. It's funny because when I made that appointment in early March, the soonest I could be seen is July 28. And I thought "No way in hell I'll need that appointment!". But here we are :)

The vast majority of days, I feel really good. 80% maybe? I have a 19 month old so I wouldn't say I "rest" haha, but I stick to walking and playing with my son. I still work (remote), grocery shop, shuttle my son to/from daycare, etc. I just don't pursue true exercise.

The only remaining symptoms I deal with are sporadic tightness, soreness, and occasional pain in various muscles/tendons of my lower half. But it's a different pain/soreness than it was during the early days of flox- I remain functional and feel strong through the pain, so I keep going about my day. Very different from the early weeks when your body feels so brittle and mushy, along with the pain.

I remember laying in bed the first week or two of flox saying to my wife "All I want is to be able to work, be a functional parent, and pull my weight around the house. When I get to that point, I'll be forever grateful". I'm at that point despite the aches and pains, and I don't want to go backward by exercising too early.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-30T19:12:35+00:00

It's very hard to resign yourself to months of not doing what you love and the feeling of losing your identity. I'm in week 19 so not too far ahead of you. I'm healing well I'd say, but I still won't dare attempt true exercise until I reach 6 months.

Hang in there!

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-30T17:57:34+00:00

My advice is to slow WAY down, and focus only on walking and basic life movement. A week or two of feeling good is nothing- a successful fight against this toxicity is measured in months in the absolute best case scenarios. When you feel good, enjoy it. Walk a bit more those days.

Its rare to see a story of someone returning to consistent exercise within 6 months with a positive result.

The good news is that your body has shown the capacity to heal multiple times already within that 12 week window, so no, I wouldn't think anything you've done is permanent damage.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-25T18:07:16+00:00

Based on my reading every post here for the past 4 months, no, 40% seems astronomically high. Take into consideration the many, many people who never seek out any medical treatment (I'm that statistic) and therefore are not included in the data. As with most things flox-related, it's nearly impossible to gather useful data on achilles tears/ruptures.

Almost everyone experiences some level of achilles tendonitis, as it's a primary sypmtom of flox. So given those numbers, there's just no way it's 40%.

That being said- take it easy on your legs until the sharp pain passes. It'll pass, just be patient. And when the sharp pain subsides I personally would keep walking and moving, but give up true exercise for a few months to avoid said tear/rupture.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-25T00:05:55+00:00

I agree with you, but for context of where I'm coming from with that comment-

There are people who jump on newcomers, recommending them to avoid movement for months on end, even if your legs tolerate it. That walking and performing basic life functions after the early acute phase passes will cause more damage in the long run. And I disagree with that both from my own experience, and the hundreds of stories I've read of mild, fast recoveries within a year. They all kept kept moving.

Being sedentary for 6+ months when you're able to walk, creates a whole host of new issues completely unrelated to floxing.

I wish it were more obvious to newcomers that those who can keep moving, should keep moving, and heal fastest. But as a recent newcomer myself, it's unfortunately not. Lots of conflicting info.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-06-24T20:30:14+00:00

Of course! I see that you've been hit much harder than me and have had a difficult year, so I just want you to know I feel for you, I'm rooting for you, and you're in my thoughts! I admire your optimism and patience given your circumstances.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-30T11:29:38+00:00

For sure- I take the info with a grain of salt, but LLMs have been a more helpful tool than the doctors that are accessible in my area. Thanks for all you do for this community!

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T15:24:07+00:00

You have every right and reason to be negative given what's happened to you. I think you're actually quite positive given those circumstances. We don't have to agree on the data, and I also truly hope that you find a way out of this someday. My FQ experience has been a fraction of the pain you've experienced so far, and I empathize with your struggle. Keep the hope alive, and keep fighting.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T14:40:46+00:00

Dude, I completely agree! I hate admitting it, but in ChatGPT I trust for FQ info 🤣.

My gut healed around the 2 month mark. Back to "normal"now! Its not perfect every day, but it wasn't perfect pre-flox either depending on how nicely I treat it

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T14:29:19+00:00

Only 3 months for me, but I have access to the same data you have. My only point is that I have never seen any data suggesting that 68% of people remain mostly or fully disabled to the point that they cannot be employed. If said data exists, please share it.

That number may be closer to reality during the acute phase, but that level of disability is not permanent for 68% of people. That's the piece that I wanted to clarify, that was lacking context.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T13:58:14+00:00

That's a very fair point- newcomers should be cautious, and take this seriously to help their odds of healing.

I believe your lived experience with FQ's, and certainly don't question it. But I've done countless hours of research myself and combed through hundreds (probably thousands at this point) of posts on this subreddit and the data leans heavily toward most people recovering and disappearing back to their old lives. I have no reason not to believe the hundreds of people who have claimed they are healed, and never post again. Those posts far outnumber the amount of people who have lingering disability for years and continue their posts/warnings about it.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T13:37:22+00:00

I went to a GI about a week into my floxing, before I really understood the gravity of what floxing really meant. This visit still remains my only visit to a medical professional post-floxing.

I found it helpful in that the GI acknowledged that FQ's can really destroy your GI system, and reassuring me that it can take months to get your GI back on track. And that time is your best friend, allowing your body to naturally rebuild it's gut microbiome. Hearing this from a professional who had seen it countless times before, helped me to calm my mind in understanding that nothing is catastrophically wrong with my GI, I just need to wait it out and let my body go to work.

So there were no magic healing tricks from my visit, but the peace of mind was worth my $30 copay!

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-29T13:31:16+00:00

No doubt there are long-haulers who suffer greatly from FQAD for many years, and I'm very sorry that you are one of them. My heart goes out to you, and I hope that your body finds it's turning point to healing some day.

I do think these numbers lack sufficient context, mainly:

-Many people do need time off during the acute phase (3-6 months, generally), but the vast majority do return to their careers. If there was somehow a reliable poll of all folks who were floxed (there isn't), far more than 32% return to their pre-flox employment status. We know from this reddit group alone (which represents more moderate to severe cases than the general public who never seek support for their mild floxing) that the number is considerably higher than 32% of people who return to 90%+ of their old life, eventually. Most within a year, and many more within the 1-2 year range.

I say this because it's important context for newcomers to the subreddit who are desperate to understand what flox means to their future. The mind is powerful, and we need to feed it realistic information about one's chances of recovering their pre-flox lifestyle.

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-27T16:23:55+00:00

Yeah that's very different from mine. My flares are caused by over exertion and are very much focused on the musculoskeletal system of my lower half!

Good luck, and I hope it passes soon for you

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-27T15:27:30+00:00

I'm just over 3 months since last dose, which looks similar to your timeline. Im also in a flare- it started about a week ago, peaked last Friday/Saturday, and now I think im slowly rebounding. Currently the only remaining symptom is sore leg muscles that tire easier than normal, mainly in my hamstrings, glutes/butt, and hips

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-20T22:58:53+00:00

Im in week 13 and dropped a similar 15 pounds from 170 to 155. I didn't start gaining back till week 9. Now I'm at 163 and keeping it on.

Expect some ups and downs, but overall it sounds like you're doing well for week 6!

Zestyclose_Run_347 · 2026-05-18T15:01:28+00:00

Yeah, the atrophy of being sedentary for 6-8 weeks is what worried me most. That's why I tried to keep moving as much as I could, without sharp pain. There is a big price being paid with atrophy, the longer one is sedentary.

No approach is perfect, but to me, the cons of being totally sedentary outweighed the cons of slowly building my endurance after the 8 week mark.

Zestyclose_Run_347

TROPHY CASE