Comment from Speller Carol

In Sept 2024 my oral surgeon prescribed levofloxacin 750mg 1pill/day after a dental implant. After the 2nd pill I could not walk. Extreme pain in both calves. I did not take the 3rd pill. When I arrived in the hospital ER dept and they heard what I was taking, they said “that’s it”. They gave me X-rays and ultrasounds to rule out blood clots but said no mri allowed by ins in the hospital. They Instructed me to go to a podiatrist or ortho surgeon. I got in to podiatrist earlier than ortho but it was still took 2 days. He immediately put my left leg in a boot suspecting Achilles tendon tear but couldn’t put both legs in boots. He ordered bi lateral MRI which I had done immediately. Recvd results the next day: Bi lateral calf muscle tears and hematoma in left leg. The dr told me if it hurt me to walk “don’t walk” maybe for a couple of months. Since then i have had severe joint pain in both shoulders, left knee, both hips and ankles, increased anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, eyes are blurry on occasion, jaw pain from clenching my teeth, broke a tooth from clenching, have been unable to function passed 2 or 3 pm every day and have to stop and put my legs up usually for the rest of the day. My life is completely affected. I do not travel because it’s too much walking for me, do not attend recreational events due to same concern. After 1 year a follow MRIs showed the tears had not healed. I have gone to PT over the past two years, had dry needling, I’m taking Collegen, CoQ10, magnesium, vit C, protein- anything I hear might help. Although 2 drs have admitted I’m suffering from fluoroquinolone toxicity for almost 2 years now, they barely put it on my chart and one admitted there’s nothing they know of that helps. He did order PT. I have attended two different, months long sessions with two different offices. The first one suggested PT wasn’t helping. the second therapist was also concerned I was not progressing enough for the ins to continue paying. So both of them discontinued treatment. I feel like my symptoms are increasing and affecting every part of my body and life. Along with the anxiety and lack of sleep, unable to walk or function some days, is bringing bouts of depression. I certainly brought this to the dr who ordered the medication, he took no responsibility. I spoke to two attorneys, neither thought it was viable to bring lawsuits for malpractice or negligence against the dr who ordered or the pharmaceutical co, I printed a form to report to the FDA but it required all past medical information dating back 40 years. The best I could do was report it to my state medical board. I have not recd any response and was informed I might never will. I can produce the associated medical paperwork upon request.