What I am interested in…

By reading my site you obviously know that I was damaged by taking a fluoroquinolone (FQ’s) antibiotic. In my case it was Levaquin.  I experienced (am experiencing) what is commonly called a severe delayed reaction, with the full onset of symptoms several months after the course of therapy.  These cases are almost always mitochondrial in origin.

Hundreds if not thousands of people have experienced adverse events to FQ antibiotics.  Several of the antibiotics from that class have been taken off of the market due to serious drug reactions and complications.  Adverse events to the FQ vary from immediate (shot gun style) to delayed. Some reactions are very horrific and acute in nature.  They come on suddenly while taking  the drug or shortly thereafter.  Others experience a slow dizzying parade of symptoms that build and morph. Adverse events exhibit a fairly common broad set of symptoms that vary due to several variables, but for the most part each person experiences the similar symptoms just to a greater or lesser degree.

What I experienced is a form of the adverse event called a severe delayed reaction, in where the symptoms of the event present themselves over many months after ingesting the medicine and the reaction is drawn out over a long period of time and become chronic in nature.

I collect stats from anyone that is having and adverse event to any member of the FQ family and are willing to volunteer information. I use this information to build an anecdotal data set in which I update documents throughout the site and provide data to researchers upon request.

Having said that, I occasionally seek out individuals whose adverse event creates a particular set of symptoms or circumstances.  Some of it is for personal information and research and some of it is for researchers that have me put out a ‘feeler’ to see if a certain set of symptoms are occurring.  So, if you fit into any of the following criteria, drop me a line:

Paradoxical Sleep Problems:  In many floxed folks sleep becomes an issue.  In some, too much sleep becomes damaging.  For instance, you are tired and want to sleep, but if you sleep more than six hours you feel worse, much worse.  Increased fatigue and weakness.  I am not talking about those who sleep twelve hours and feel hung over.  I am talking about a certain sweet spot of, let’s say, 5 1/2 to 6 hours.  Also, this would not be those who have sleep apnea and need a CPAP device.   If you think this describes you, contact me.

FQ Induced mitochondrial disease/dysfunction: After taking the FQ’s (healthy before) you became chronic. A major complaint is fatigue/weakness issues, would fit the criteria for Chronic Fatigue and experience post-exertional malaise or setbacks that last hours, weeks, or longer after doing physical activity. If you think this describes you, contact me.

You were previously Floxed, thought you recovered, only to have symptoms reappear later: I get contacted by individuals who fit this scenario all the time. Just look at my poll on the main page, right hand column. The message is not popular but, for many, it is the unfortunate truth. The FQ’s create long term damages in many people. When people are first floxed they gravitate towards more positive websites. I get it, I understand. The truth is for many, the symptoms return, weeks, months, and for many, years later. If you think this describes you, contact me.

Those suffering from chronic delayed adverse events:I maintain a contact pool of people who are having these delayed adverse events for support and information. Especially those suffering prolonged and life long adverse events. I am fascinated by the the mechanisms of the delayed event, which fall into the realm of drug induced mitochondrial dysfunction/disease. If you think this describes you, contact me.

Since establishing this website, I receive dozens of emails each week regarding FQ’s, plus my health is very variable, so it may take me a couple days to get back to you. Click here to drop me an email.