Could this Eternal Tendonitis be from Cipro

by Noel
(Utah)

I am an avid runner and health fanatic. However, in my late 20's (I'm now 40), I contracted salmonella poisoning (twice) and was given Cipro for an antibiotic treatment and have never been the same since. I am seriously allergic to most antibiotics out there--penicillin, sulfa drugs, tetracycline to name a few--so I was skeptical when I was given cipro, a new antibiotic for me, at least.

The first time I took it, I didn't notice any adverse effects, at least immediately. However, the second time I took it (maybe a year or so later, not exactly sure), I developed a rash toward the end of the cycle--so I know I am sensitive at least to the drug. Some months later I developed terrible tendonitis in both achilles tendons--never had it before. I would take a few weeks off from running, ice, stretch, etc., but it wouldn't go away. I even spent a whole summer and nearly $2,000 on physical therapy--still didn't go away.

I have taken different periods of time off from running (to have more children), and when I would resume running after the pregnancy, the tendonitis was surely still there.

In 2006 I ruptured my left achilles tendon. The surgery went well, but my right achilles tendonitis is still there! In fact, the older I get (and I really don't consider myself "old"), I have developed tendon problems in my left knee and right shoulder as well. In fact, any part of my body that gets exerted a little too much seems to develop some sort of tendon/ligament ailment. I also have jaw problems, which I suspect are related. My tendons still hurt every morning when I get out of bed, even on days I don't go running--which isn't so often anymore...

I didn't come across a warning on the cipro label until years after I had taken the drug and developed symptoms. I am shocked that I wasn't told about any potentially life-altering side effects--especially with my history of allergy and sensitivity to antibiotics in general

Are leg/muscle cramps a part of this? I get a lot of those too. I've been upping my calcium intake for the muscle cramps, but feel there must be more that I am lacking.

I sure would like some more info. I've been waiting patiently for more than 12 years now...