Cipro-related tendinitis and exercise

prettytothinkso

Just wondering if there are any others out there and what kind of modifications you've had to make to get in your workouts.

My long-winded story - I had to take Cipro (an antibiotic) for an infection last year and on my second day (after taking maybe 4 pills) felt that my joints were weaker than usual. Having read the information with my medication, I called my doctor right away and stopped taking them. I have tendinitis now. I have tried several times since then to work out, but my Achilles tendon would make horrific sounds and felt unstable - so, no workouts for me. Until a month ago.

I started doing a Turbo Jam and P90X mix which I am really enjoying, but after a few weeks I noticed that my left knee was feeling weaker and that there was some discomfort. Like if I stepped up my workout to include all the jumping I WANT to do, it would give way. It's a disturbing feeling. My right shoulder, wrists and sometimes elbows get extra creaky and achy during/after my Shoulder and Arms workout. Doing lunges causes all kinds of freaky noises from all sorts of interesting places, too. Frankly people, this just sucks. I'm only 32.

I do realize that I have gotten off rather lightly with the whole fluoroquinolone-kery though. No tendon ruptures so far *knocks on wood* and have taken to wearing a brace on my left knee when I workout.

Anyone else in a similar predicament?

Larius

I am not a doctor.

I can't speak about the drug side effects.

If you have doctor diagnosed tendonitis, the doctor should have told you to stop any exercise that aggravates it and probably wear a brace 24x7, so I'll assume that's not the case.

Nothing you describe is terribly unusual about exercise, especially if you're new. Start slow and easy. Make sure you stretch a lot. Stretching will relieve a lot of the aches and pains (but not 100%).

The knee does sound like it may be a concern. I would go easy on it, and if it continues to bother you, take a month off. In my experience, knees take a long time to heal, and they take far longer if you try to push them too hard.

prettytothinkso

Sadly, I've been this weight for years and am not a stranger to exercise, yet had no problems with my joints until after taking Cipro, so unfortunately I do not believe this is just exercise-related and neither does my doctor.

I have been diagnosed with tendonitis, but that was shortly after taking Cipro and I'd only had the creepy Achilles tendon issue at that point, so we didn't know how much damage there is/could be. I've made an appointment to see what my limitations are now that I'm showing more issues since then, and I'm taking it easier with my workouts. I just want to know if any other Cipro sufferers are out there and how they're doing, what they're doing.

I will definitely do more stretching. Thanks for the response

audradetillier

Hi msnomer0103!

I've taken Cipro a LOT this year for kidney infections. I'm a kidney transplant patient on prednisone, which makes the tendinitis effect even worse. I've got it in my right foot, heel and left hand. It's been about a week now and I'm still waiting to hear back from my doctor. I work out 5 days a week but have had to stop now. I even limp just walking. I wish I had more to offer, but for now all I can say is you're not alone!

I'll update after talking with my doc.
Audra