severe flare up after surgery. please help!!

I dont know if I am losing my mind or what is going on!!  I had to have an emergency apendectomy last Tuesday.  The appendix was not ruputured but was inflammed.  They gave me IV Levaquin for an antibiotic during the surgery, general anesthesia and then I had a combo of morphine for pain in the beginning and switched to dialauded and morphine later that evening.

I have been living a nightmare ever since!!  Every symptom I have ever had has come back and increased ten fold!!  I have severe dizziness, brain fog (feel like I am in a cloud), heart palpitations, skin burning pain, muscle aches.  I dont know what to do.  I have contacted the surgeon.  They cant find any cause for any of this other than possibly a Fibro flare up along with a Lyme disease flare up.

Has anyone else gone through something similar to this either from surgery or from antibiotics?  I feel like death right now :(.  Thanks for listening.

Nancy

 

Nancy,

Well, interestingly enough, there was a thread on this a few weeks ago...several people (including me) had stories of problems with Levaquin. My mom was given it in the hospital, and literally was out of her mind until it got out of her system. Didn't know where she was, I'm not sure she knew WHO she was...but paranoiia was the overriding emotion.

People react so differently to things. I would get documented all the things you took, and see if they can't pin it down.

Sorry you're feeling so bad. Hope things improve for you soon! I had my appendix out too - not fun.

Debbie

I had an emergency surgery for a burst appendix a couple of years ago and was hospitalized for 6 days with drains, tubes, etc. Not sure what they gave me for pain relief, but I didn't have any problems. I had IVs "like crazy" to flush the toxins out of my system. Perhaps (likely?) you are having a bad reaction to the meds, and maybe even an allergy? Just guessing.
Yes--I hope, too, that it will get out of your system quickly. Don't hesitate to ask (and ask again) for medical help until you are feeling better.

It could be the Levaquin. My niece was given that medication for a bad cold and she ended up bed-ridden for five weeks. She had to have her mother come from Serbia to take care of her two children. She had horrible muscle pain and it took her a while to get back to normal. Google Levaquin and you will see some people have a lot of problems with that medication. Others, on the other hand have been helped. If you are still taking that, perhaps they can switch you to a different antibiotic...one you know you can take successfully. It's worth to ask anyway.

I just googled Levaquin at Drugs.com and some of your symptoms are there so you might want to read that. You seem to have several of the side effects of this medication. I'm on my iPad so I can't put a link in for you.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Sherrine

I had an appendectomy for a burst appendix several years ago. Just sayin that it took me a very long time to recover. Months. I'm not sure all I was given but for sure after the surgery, I was Cipro and Flagell. Both these made me feel much worse. I started feeling a bit better when I was off those two meds.

It was a very bad experience for me, something I am reluctant to talk about
because they shamed me in the hospital and treated me like a common street junkie. I was SO sick I could not even defend myself. And DH was simply scared and bewildered.

Nancy, I have read your posts and feel without a shadow of a doubt that you are suffering from fluoroquinolone poisoning. This happens when sensitive systems react to a harsh class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. This includes drugs like Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox. They are neuro toxins that attack our nerve coverings and wear away their protection from things in our diet or environment that trigger other reactions. This leads to issues like fibromyalgia and problems with all areas of our nervous system, joints, tendons, etc. I am not a medical professional but I am an anatomy teacher who has recently fallen victim to their damaging effects. I was floxed in June of 2012 after 5 pills of Cipro. Doctors are not ready to credit these drugs with causing our problems. Your problem after your surgery was definitely from the Levaquin and possibly because you have been previously floxed before with a similar drug. This may even be the root of why you are dealing with fibromyalgia in the first place. I would do some diligent research in this matter. The things you do in the coming days will help lesson the effects of their damage and begin to heal you. This may take time, lots of patience, research and I believe prayer. Dietary changes are a MUST and especially in the area of the meats you eat. Most of our food industry in laden with antibiotic ridden meats. Choose organic and antibiotic free dairy and meats, and cheeses. Drink tons of water and start a detox program soon. You can do this with your diet. I have found huge support with a Facebook group called Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Group. They have saved me. I am healing slowly but doing it the right way. Avoid any NAIDS (ibuprofen, Advil, alive, ect) As these will worsen symptoms and do more damage. Please mark your medical files allergic to FQ's and tell your pharmacy as well. I have tons of research and info to share And just want to help others. I searched this forum because I suspected there were people on here that were dealing with the unknown and your post caught my attention. Please know that I want to help you get better. That's my mission now that I have learned so much. God bless you in your healing.
Holli

I have taken cipro in the past with no problems at all. Yes I love to learn mOre on how to heal from this. We have to use a food bank for food because of limited income so all organic is not a possibility. Where is a good place to start?

I agree with Beautymom5. I would begin eating as clean as possible. This means as close to the earth as possible, eliminating all of the chemical junk that's put in our food. This would include artificial ingredients, food colors, preservatives, processed food, non-organic meats, etc. It sounds hard, but simple planning and label reading and you'll have it all down in no time. I don't like to spend a ton on groceries and I have managed this eating style for me and my whole family without breaking the bank. My husband just had a stent put in his heart at 38 years old so it's really helping him too. I eat salmon (wild caught, because farm raised fish has antibiotics in it), bison, deer, shrimp, crab legs and anything that hasn't been touched by man and chemicals before it was caught. I drink filtered water (not tap to avoid fluoride) with limes or lemons squeezed in it. This is an excellent detox drink. Start to supplement with Magnesium via a pure route, not a hard pill form since those contain titanium dioxide and other chemical binders. Eat lots of spinach, cruciferous vegetables and healthy fruits. Cut out white flour, sugar, rice, breads, pastas and substitute with things made with whole wheat flour, whole grains, unrefined sugars. Cut out caffeine, alcohol, and body products with chemicals. This may all sound extreme initially, but as you start to find your own triggers this will all make more sense. I was able to add back my morning coffee at month 4 with no problem. Initially it made my whole body twitch and burn. Your body and liver are working overtime to rid your body of this medicine and filter the continued contaminents that we keep placing inside it. Anything you can do to take the load off your liver is a huge plus. Take epsom salt baths when you can after your surgery restrictions are lifted. This will give you a natural form of magnesium to help bind to the levaquin. Don't go crazy on supplements of every kind you hear about. It's always best to get your vitamins and minerals through your food the way it should be given. I do agree with getting your D and B vitamins because they help the nervous system work properly and Levaquin depletes these. Make smoothies with lots of berries, bananas, spinach, organic yogurt, and things you like. This will give a very good way for the nutrients to get into your system. Use extra virgin olive oil and unrefined organic coconut oils in your cooking. I even use the coconut oil as a lotion after baths. Watch your deoderants, toothpaste, body products, perfumes for chemicals. I have made my own cleaning products, and have switched a ton of unhealthy products to jumpstart the healing. Don't let all this be sensory overload. That will only add to the anxiety and depression that this situation has already brought to our bodies. Meditate, stretch, keep moving as best as you can to aid in circulation to your healing nerves. Be careful with strenuous exercise or movement while your tendons and joints are temporarily compromised.

Check out this link from my support group. Its a primer for floxed individuals. There is a 2nd and 3rd one available if you need it. I would encourage you to check out the group page. Tons of vital information and a very supportive group of individuals that know exactly with what you are dealing with. Look for Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Group.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/46690244194/doc/10151143388994195/

Continued healing,
Holli

Vitamin B is found naturally in meats, shellfish, cheese and egg yolks. If you are allergic to a supplement form of vitamin B it's probably from the binding agents in the pill form. Use a natural source of B from your food or get a natural gummy vitamin that excludes harsh ingredients.

Any surgery is traumatic to your body and it reacts. Flares happen. Stressors affect the body. I hope this flares passes quickly and you get to your baseline again.

Barb