Ribs symptoms and conditions

Someone help! I've had my Mirena IUD for almost five months now and at first I thought it was wonderful but lately I'm thinking I've changed my mind. Every few days I'll get these lower back aches which feel like pre-contractions, and I get this horrible pain on my right side between the bottom of my ribs and my hip (more towards my hip). This is debilitating pain, where I have to put my son down and either sit or lay down. I have an appointment this week with my doctor but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Occasionally I'll bleed during/after sex. Also, I started working out again and after a three mile walk (pushing the stroller) I came home and was bleeding pretty bad, then about ten minutes later the pain on my side started again and my lower back pain started up. I don't know whats going on and my nurse practitioner acted like it was NBD..... its a big deal to me and I'm freaking out about it.... anyone???

I have been on the Yasmin now for nearly three months. I have no energy, chest pains, shortness of breath, tenderness of my breast, ribs and I feel REALLY TIRED even after having a nights rest. I thought this was perhaps after having a toddler and using my energy up during the day from lifting him and swinging him. I feel slightly anxious about different things in my life, sometimes depressed. I though my headaches and chest pains were stress/work related and so was the fatigue. I am popping vitamin tablets like it is an addiction thinking that if I don't have them I am going to feel WORSE( anxious/depressed). I also could not understand why I was feeling so nauseous and having stabbing pains in my stomach. - thought again this was just stress related - acid build up. I am going to see my Doctor today and get off this tablet!!!! I would rather have the odd pimple on my face than feel like this.

Wow, what an eye opening experience it is to read all these posts! I was just about at the end of my rope thinking something was horribly wrong with me. Now I firmly believe it's the Levoxyl that is wrong.

I went on thyroid meds about a year and half ago for just slightly under active thyroid. I was actually lulled into it because the Doctor assured me it was a completely safe medicine and taking it would help me lose weight. Always a welcome thing. So I started on 50 mcg. I noticed some degree of improvement. I was sleeping better and having more energy during the day. Next checkup, the levels are in the normal range but just barely. So he doubled the dose. Two weeks later I broke out in a horrible itchy rash. I actually thought about the meds but then I didn't change meds, I was just taking more. I called the doctor and he said, "No this medication won't do that." So I change detergent, soap, everything I could think of and nothing worked. Finally I said, enough and I skipped a dose. During the day the rash got a lot better. Next morning I took another one and within and hour I was itching like crazy again. I stopped taking them, waited a week and called the doctor again and told them. His reaction was "You have to take this." I said, No, I don't and I won't. He actually argued with me that the rash could not be caused by the meds. Now I realize at that point I should have called another doctor but he's in my town, convenient, yada, yada, yada. Anyway he called me in another med which he said was the same active ingredient but different brand. Enter Levoxyl. I've been on 100 mcg for 3 months during which time I have felt progressively worse. Most of these things I didn't attribute to Levoxyl until later. Initially I noticed I was having the hot/cold flash thing. I have no comfort zone. I'm either flushed and sweating or chilled so my nights are spent constantly either searching for cover or kicking it off. Next thing I noticed is that my breasts would swell. Naturally that was a concern but about the time I would decide I needed to see about it, they would be normal for a few days. Sleep? What's that? Tired all the time. Started having confusion and forgetfulness. I even told my co-worker I thought I was losing my edge. I was all of a sudden forgetting things I had done automatically for over 15 years. Then the really scary stuff started. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my heart racing and feeling like I was in a fight for my life. I was afraid to go back to sleep. Joint aches and pains across my upper back, my knee. Tingling in my feet. It just keep getting worse and worse. Still didn't think of Levoxyl. Then Monday of this week I didn't have a pill to take. I forgot to get it refilled. Monday at lunch I told my husband I felt better than I'd felt in months. Tuesday took the regular dose. By noon the mental fog was back, back was hurting and I just felt like crap. Tuesday night went to bed early because I was so tired. 11:40 woke up with the worse anxiety attack I've ever had. Heart was pounding and I was breathless. Wednesday morning I got up and the light came on. I did not take the pill. Entered Levoxyl in google and found this site. I am so angry at my doctor I can hardly stand it. I even went to the official Levoxyl website and all these side effects are listed except for the swelling breasts and confusion but I've noticed several posts here that list those. During those two days I didn't take the freakin' pill both problems improved greatly. This morning, I reluctantly took half a pill. I plan to to that every other day for a few days then skip two days, then three, until I'm off of it. I don't know at this point what I'll do about my thyroid but I won't take this stuff and I won't ignore feeling like crap again. This is crazy. Where is the FDA? Oh yeah, being entertained by the drug companies. What a shame.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post here. It is a sad commentary when we can't rely on our doctors to take care of us but we sure can't. If he had just told me about the bone loss, I would never have started this drug in the first place. My Mother suffered with that and that is something I would not trade for a few lost pounds and a little more energy. No thanks.

I just started this new drug and only took a half of the drug and only once...about 3 hrs later had a bad cramp on my right side by my ribs and I had to stand up because it hurt...do you think this is a side effect

After being on Lotrel for several years and doctors adding a pill for every side effect I got (14 prescription pills a day), I had to retire from construction at 47 yrs old due to muscle damage and weakness. After witting lotrel and getting on a different blood pressure pill I've been able to quit 10 other pills including arrhythmia pills for my heart! I'm 53 now and can't sit upright, stand, or walk comfortably for more than 1/2 an hour. I wish I had figured it out sooner. I used to b e able to lift 300 lbs and now can't lift more than 20 :

My side effects: slow but severe muscle loss, lethargy, severe coughing particularly at night to the point of separating ribs, muscle cramps, difficulty swallowing/choking, severe tachyarrhythmia. It is a dangerous drug, fortunately I figured it out before it killed me! I was on it for eight years and and my health deteriorated. I had to quit working 4/2003. I had gotten so bad that I qualified for Social Security 6/2006. After testing with neurologists and against my doctors recommendation, I quit the Lotrel 9/2005. I appear to have permanent muscle damage, but my energy level has increased with some increased strength, coughing/choking stopped, arrythmia is almost completely gone (was able to quit two dosages per day of Rythmol for arrhythmia, muscle relaxants, pain killers), and the swallowing/choking problem is completely gone. The side effects came along over a period of 8 years and have devastated my health. Doctors kept prescribing pills for every side effect not realizing they were caused by Lotrel. I was at a point where I spent at least 20 hours a day laying down or asleep. Now, although I have lost 90% of muscle strength, I am fairly active most of the day.

Hi,

I'm fit, tough and extremely healthy. Tried Mirena. Ok for one year then within six months I experienced increasing upper abdominal pain and ultimately the sensation of something bursting central chest and the first of three Emergency Hospital admissions. Bloods clear. Xrays clear. ECG's clear. Endoscope clear (had experienced severe and sudden onset gastroenteritus/IBS acid reflux, extreme food intolerance.) Also had a large cyst needed draining (and multiple smaller) appeared in left breast. Lymph glands in neck up. High histamine, raised albumin, white blood cells relating to allergy/parasite. Allergic reaction/systemic rejection of coil?
No uterus pain at all.(Not had period for over a year)
So very ill after sixteen weeks being consistently told it wouldn't be the coil I took it out. Hard to describe but an extreme sense of relief, reduction in pain from entire GI tract swelling/sensitivity.
QUESTION.
One week on huge improvement but I still have continual upper body/chest pain (diaphragm?), and additional pain sharp pain through left ribs to shoulder blade, worse with sudden movement. Anyone had residual/slow to improve nerve damage? Need to be fit for my job.

Thank you for reading.

PS. Its not a 'coil'. Its a nasty sharp edged piece of plastic.

hi everyone

i just thought i'd post about mirena post removal. i had mine removed 8 weeks ago after 6 months of unbearable side effects. i am now finding they are all fading away. the joint pains i was having in my hips knees and wrists was horrendous, so much so i was being tested for lupus and arthritis, my muscles were also tender and easily fatigued. these symptoms have slowly diminished and are now almost gone completely.

i had terrible gallbladder type pain but on both sides under my ribs, also now gone

i had headaches, now gone

i was impossible to live with because of my mood swings and irritability, now gone, just a bit more pms'y than i would have been prior to the mirena

constant bleeding and gross sludgy discharge, now gone

bacterial vaginosis, gone

unbearable tiredness. getting better

low libido, getting better

brain fog, getting better

hair loss, getting better

I just started Yasmin nearly a week ago and I've already gained about 5lbs. Restless and night. I wanted to go for my morning walk this morning but turned around and came home before I reached the end of the block. I am grateful I decided to look up the side effects of the BCP. But now that I want to stop taking the pill I need to know how- can I just stop today and get something else? Will I be able to just lose the weight once I stop? Also, yesterday I started having horrible stomach pains which I thought were gas pains- from my ribs and spread all over. Was this from Yasmin too?

Help me figure out what im doing wrong?

I'm 21, i exercise constantly, I have never had children. i have what I'd like to think of as "a very healthy normally functioning uterus". extremely regular periods, barely get any cramps. I'm in great health, except i drink and recently picked up smoking . I got my Mirena inserted 3weeks ago exactly.

this is my mini journal:
1st day:(3/16/09) got it inserted and they gave me antibiotics to prevent infections. i had very light spotting and mild cramping. Advil did the trick

2nd& 3rd day:
like nothing ever happened. i was feeling great.

4th day:
I finished taking my antibiotics.I bicycled for about 2hours. i got home and i had cramps more painful than usual. spotting got darker

5thday: (4/20/09)
i had a very sharp pain from the bottom my ribs cage to my belly button felt like my organs in that area where gonna pop or like someone punched me really hard. i had a drink that night and it really didn't help. it would come and go all day. spotting was heavier but not dark

6thday: (4/21/09)
it was my 21st birthday so naturally i had to drink but i was really hesitant because i still had the same pain. i had a couple drinks smoke a couple cigarettes and the pain went away and never felt it again. spotting faded and was pinkish color

(4/22/09)-(05/02/09)
to pain no nothing spotting was becoming clearer over these days

05/03/09:
was my friends birthday party I walked around town everywhere. i had no car and no bike and i had to run errands for the party... grocery store, bank,...everywhere! my legs were so sore when i finally got home.
at the party and had maybe 3 drinks and smoked a lot of cigarettes. the next morning i was woken up by in the worst pain ever (i wasn't hungover) its felt like someone was sticking a knife up my vagina into my uterus. i was bleeding a lot and it was really dark i was in tears. i didn't have ANY type of aspirin or anything at the time. it would come and go for about 3-4 hours. finally i got some Tylenol and the pain went away haven't felt it since.

05/04-today: drank,smoked, no exercise, no pain, since then spotting is almost clear

now im wondering if the pains or cramps were from really from excessive exercise?
does that mean i cant exercise now or ride my bike? :(

I am 51 and very athletic and in admiral shape. 3 months ago, I began on Lipitor for cholesterol control. I just tore a calf muscle. Coincidence? I'm going off Lipitor until I know for sure. At the time of the muscle tear, myself and my muscles were warmed up. I didn't do anything harsh to provoke a tear. That's what scares me. It just went rip.

anybody having heartburn? i've had so many symptoms now, i don't know whats mirena and whats not!
sex drive is slowly dwindling away, that is not like me at all, but then its hard to feel sexy when i'm bleeding all the time and my nether regions smell not to pretty. lol.
other side effects to date are
depression, anxiety, agitated, joint pain, constant bleeding, unpleasant smells, low libido, pains under ribs (not sure if down to mirena)

I was on Mircette for 7 months. The worst 7 months of my life. I was absolutely crazy on this pill. I am the most laid back person, and on this pill I became very violent, yelling and screaming for no reason. I'd cry for no reason, and feel anxious a lot. I also had SEVERE stomach problems. The pain was very comparable to giving birth, which i have done twice. The only difference was instead of the pain being in my lower abdomen, it was just below my ribs and above my belly button. The constant mood swings and pain turned me off to Mircette. It has been 7 weeks since i have been off of all bc pills, and i feel great. I just wish my stomach problems would end. It's a lot less severe now, but I am going to make an appointment with a gastrointestinal dr.t. I would never recommend it to anyone. Ever.

i can't believe all these posts, i come on here everyday now, i'm so glad i found it. i had my mirena fitted in oct 08, and have completely changed since. before i was a happy, energetic, optimistic, fit, healthyish, now i'm in counseling for anxiety and depression, in the doctors evrery other week (not kidding) i'm so glad hes nice and understanding! here are my symptoms in 5 months

aching joints, (been referred to a rheumatologist),
depression and anxiety (been referred to a councilor),
head aches,
tired,
smelly discharge,
excessive bleeding, (8 weeks),
painful periods,
pain underneath ribs (not sure if its related),
dizzy,
don't feel like me any more,
forgetful,

I had a slight cough for a while, but don't any more. I have been on 20mg for a couple years. About 6 months ago, both knees started hurting, but thought I was just getting old. (49). Then everything started aching. If I am moving, then I'm fine, but if I sit for any length of time and try to get up, I hurt all over. I don't know if it is this med, but reading all these posts make me think it could be. I just need to get my weight off and get off of this!
Also, I got to this site because I started having a sharp, fast pain just below my left ribcage. 2 yesterday, but about 10-15 today. Good thing it only lasts about a second, because it is bad. So-could this be from this drug, as well?

I had Mirena put in the end of November and was thrilled with it. I instantly regained my sex drive. I had a lot of spotting for the first few weeks but hardly any bleeding since then. About two weeks ago I noticed that the right side of my body was numb but brushed it off as I have previous neck problems and thought it might be a pinched nerve or something. The numbness is constant, from just below my ribs down to my toes, worst in the hip/groin area. I now have very little sensation during intercourse. My doctor has run blood tests and was mentioning testing for MS but after reading these posts I think it may be the Mirena. I have also had painful joints and started seeing a counselor as I have been feeling very depressed (she has recommended anti depressants). I have also had a lot of bruising, not sure if this is related, and am sick more often (have spent a total of 38 days on antibiotics since I got it put in, hadn't needed any for years before this). Making an appt today to talk to doctor!!!

i've had constant pain in my upper right side under ribs and towards middle of the chest since starting topamax in may 08, i've been off for 2 1/2 weeks with no relief of the pain. does anyone know how long side effects last or has this happened to anyone else? when will i feel better?

I can't believe I didn't find this sooner! I was on the Nuvaring for about 4 years and just last month traded it in for the Mirena.

At first, I was thrilled to find the Ring as I have a very hard time taking pills because I've always had a sensitive stomach. The patch was messy and sticky so I was excited to find the ring. For the first couple of years, the only problem I had was keeping it in place (it would continuously fall out) so I just got used to having to push it back into place every time I used the restroom. Every. Single. Time. But it was worth it because it made my periods much, much lighter and more manageable (i usually am down for the count for a few days). I also did the ring continuously without taking a week off because I still had some pretty terrible periods.

About two years ago, I started gaining weight uncontrollably, became very depressed, lethargic and achey. One day I came down with a terrible case of bronchitis and was put on a heavy duty round of antibiotics and steroids. After, I started having terrible heartburn and IBS symptoms which lead me to a gastroenterologist. Every test imaginable was performed, but nothing was found. I was told I had a nervous stomach. Unsatisfied, I got some bloodwork done and had abnormal blood glucose levels. My diabetic husband gave me a glucometer and I realized my blood sugars were totally out of range. I ended up at an Endocrinologist and all tests came back normal. I was also referred to a Rheumatologist for my achy body and joints. I found a list of symptoms of hypothyroidism and was convinced this is what I have, so I was put on a very low dose of Synthroid. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on a whole mess of anti-inflammatories and pain killers.

Unsatisfied with my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and totally unwilling to admit this is something I have to live with for the rest of my life, I began working with a nutritionist who has helped me get off all the medications (except Synthroid). But still, I hadn't slept through the night in years (getting up 3-4 times a night to use the bathroom), I was terribly achy, irritable, nauseous, constipated and still gaining weight.

Recently, my insurance changed and I decided to get the Mirena. Within a few weeks, most symptoms have drastically improved, my family notices a major change. I actually slept through the night last week, only 3 weeks after using the Ring for the last time. I haven't lost any weight yet, but the fact that I even CAN exercise is monumental. More than anything, I'm thrilled at the prospect that everything was caused by the Ring, the one constant no matter what I tried, and maybe I won't have to live with Fibromyalgia for the rest of my life.

I can't say with total certainty that the NuvaRing caused all my problems, but it is absolutely astounding that all of us are experiencing the same terrible symptoms and none of our doctors have bothered to think that it could be the Ring. I'm angry about this. Why don't they know about these side effects??

Yes these side effects are listed in the package, but they're the same side effects from pretty much every medication... and I don't know about all of you but this thing came damn near close to ruining my life. I couldn't work, sleep, eat, exercise, clean my house, etc. etc. It's no heart attack or stroke, but definitely life altering.

I think health care providers need to be alerted to these symptoms and the possibility that the Nuvaring could be causing it all. It would have saved me thousands of dollars in medical bills and despair. Patients should be warned that the side effects are very real and can be debilitating. I'm almost sorry I found this so late (after I already got rid of it!) but I'm glad I found it nonetheless.

Good luck to all of you!

I started Lupron in April of 2008. The year before this I worked HARD to lose 80 lbs. I finally got down to my goal weight because I was tld my endometriosis symptoms could be relieved if I wasn't overweight. I had a laparoscopy in March of 2008 confirming my diagnosis- Lupron was a last minute decision because of my age and status the doctor didn't want to do the hysterectomy right away. My endometriosis is spread throughout the body- including the lungs. While Lupron helped with the pain I was experiencing, it caused other pain. Pain that I can no longer even deal with. I became lethargic, depressed, and angry. My hair was falling out in large clumps. I didn't gain weight right away.. except a pound the first shot and three pounds hte second shot but I figured that was alright if it was only like 15 lbs total. I oculd deal with that. Here I am almost a year later. my last injection was in August. I gained a total of 47 pounds. I am a fat slob. I couldn't work out because my bones hurt so bad while taking the medication. No one around me knows what I went through physically. They al think that it was just some excuse to be a lazy fat cow but it truly HURT to move. Just simply walking from my bedroom door to my bed killed me. It hurt my ribs, my knees, my shins, my back. There were times when I couldn't even get out of my bed ebcause I just didn't have the energy. Then the depression started shortly after losing a large amount of hair. By now I am thinking about how ugly i've become on top of how fat I am. Nothing went right but my doctor pushed the shot. I figured hes the one with years of experience he couldn't possibly be this wrong. I trusted him. When I would go to him with complaints of my weight gain he would tell me to stop eating. The problem was... I wasn't eating. I was too sick to my stomach to bother. Then when I would get hungry i'd over eat. I bled a lot through the shots and I still had pain here and there but I was too afraid of what he'd put me on next if I complained. I started to forget simple things. My career was going down hill because they were sick of me not being 100% commited to my job any more. I cried all the time. I finally got sick of the weight gain while I was on my shots and I decided to work out regardless of how I felt and three times I passed out in the gym and was transported to the hospital where I had to listen to their advice on being overweight WHICH WASNT THE REASON I WAS PASSING OUT TO BEGIN WITH but no one wnats to hear what I have to say. Every one just assumed that I was this pig who never worked out in her life and over did it this time. What no one understood was that three months before the incident i was my average weight. I was tachycardic all the time- my normal resting heart rate while i was on my shots was 162. During a work out it would get up to 220!

Ive been off them since August and I haven't lost a single pound. I get up at 4am every day and work out. I park as far away as possible. I use the stairs instead of elevators. I eat healthy. I cut out extra sugars and stopped rewarding myself when I deserve it. I started these shots at 155lbs and today I am 215. Ive been on a strict monitored diet, diet pills and work out regimens and I am still 215. My knees kill me nad sound like velcro when I walk- ive even fallen a couple of times because they hurt that bad. My back still hurts and my neck still wont turn to the right completely because of a nerve that pinches or what have you in there that sends the sharp pain through my face when I move. I still have the depression but i think thats more because of my weight now than it is anything else.. and I finally ended up losing my job.

I recently saw my OB for a follow-up where he stuck me on yet another birth control. This one makes me vomit and gives me stomach cramps so Ive decided im done. I won't take another pill because its making me worse. Id rather have my uterus fall on the floor than pop another drug.

I've been on Lisinopril-HCTZ 10-12.5 for 8 months now. I hate it. So far I've experienced:

- dry cough
- headaches
- chest pains (under my left rib cage area. Its a sudden sharp pain that lasts maybe 2 seconds, then its gone. It'll do that a few times a day)
- stuffy nose (doctor told me it was allergies. Put me on allergy medication, have been on it for 2 months, and it hasn't helped)
- trouble breathing
- rashes
- fatigue (doctor assured me it would go away after a few weeks, but it hasn't)
- dizziness
- no menstrual cycle (this medication has stopped my periods all together)

I've had it with this crap. My primary doctor wasn't the one who put me on it. I haven't been able to see my primary doctor because I don't have insurance and couldn't afford it. I've been going to a community clinic. I'm willing to pay to see my primary doctor than continue going there. At least I'll know I'll be taken seriously.

very tired all of the time, hair loss, weight gain, upper stomach cramping just under middle of breasts - keeps me awake. Would like to know if the stomach cramping is caused by mirena. Have now had the mirena for 3 years. Upper stomach cramping under ribs worse over last 6 months, like gall bladder pain? Loss of sex drive. Positive is that it is better than pill for feeling ok mentally for me.

Ive had the mirena for 4 months.My doctor thought it would help with my painful,heavy periods,well I been bleeding since and it just getting worse.I want to know if anyone has had stomach issues,like acid reflex,heartburn,gas,or just pain in your stomach.cuz im thinking I have a ulcer or is it this device????Lisa

I've been taking Omeprazole 40mg's once daily for two weeks now. I'm 28 years old and up until September have never been sick a day in my life. After an endoscopy, was diagnosed with a "hiatal hernia" after months of a mysterious vomiting syndrome and put on this drug by my Gastroenterologist.

The first week and a half was great, it was able to control my vomiting. But now, after thirteen days of taking the drug, I've been feeling incredibly fatigued over my whole body, like the way you feel the day after you lift weights. Stabbing pains in my ribs, chest and abdomen that come and go. The feeling in my stomach of being "eaten" from the inside out. It's horrible.

Like others, I've also been getting quick, stabbing headaches that come and go in a flash. Joint pain. Muscle cramps. Bloating. Depression. Waking multiple times in the middle of the night. Strange and vivid dreams. Severe nausea in the morning when I wake up. It's all really, really weird. And as of last night, my vomiting has relapsed. Keep in mind, I've NEVER experienced ANYTHING like these symptoms before in my life.

I've got a follow-up appointment scheduled with my doctor in three days and I intend to get off of this stuff immediately.

Hi
Again just like many of you ladies out there i am so glad i came across this website. I have been taking Yasmin for the last 2.5yrs. I used to have very think long hair, and was always complimented on it. recently my hair has thinned out, and falls out everytime i comb or wash it. I have reecntly started to experience numbness in the tips of my toes, i have just in the past few days experienced knee joint pains. Last year i had very bad chest pains, and i never thought it would be the pill, but i have been complianing to my family about breathing difficulties too. I do feel nauseous most of the time, and i feel tired all the time, i fall asleep anywhere. I am a pretty healthy individual. I have suffered headaches, reduction of vision, pain just under my ribs near the lungs, especially when i wake up in the mornings, i suffer hot flushes, again like others mostly at night... I used to be a pretty calm person, but now looking back i have had my moments of rage !
Thank God i came across this website because luckily im on my 7day break at the moment, and will probably not take them again ! and try lady comp just like another lady has .... hope this helps

I was “poisoned” by Levaquin -- resulting in acute tendinitis in both Achilles tendons.

Background:
I am a healthy, athletic male in his mid-50s who has never had an Achilles tendon problem. In early July 2008, my doctor (general practitioner) prescribed Levaquin for an infection. I took the medication for 14 days, as prescribed.
Sudden onset of acute tendinitis in my Achilles tendons occurred near the end of the medication period. The tendinitis occurred in both Achilles tendons simultaneously. Nothing related to my lifestyle would have caused the tendinitis.

Symptoms:
Symptoms included the following at one time or another:
1. aching
2. sharp pain
3. feeling of heat/burning
4. tightness
5. pins and needles in small areas (micro tears?)
6. weakness at rear/base of each heal.
7. When I woke-up each morning my tendons and the back of my heal pads felt sore, weak and tight.
At the height of the problems, I had extreme difficultly walking and negotiating stairs, and I thought there was a risk that my tendons would detach from my heal bone.

Doctors’ Advice:

My general practitioner’s and my podiatrist’s advice was to: (a) not run, cycle, hike or otherwise exercise my legs in any manner other than easy walking and swimming, (b) gently stretch, (c) take ibuprofen, (d) ice regularly, and (e) use heal lift shoe inserts made by my podiatrist. Their advice was based on the view that the damage that was done is more like damage cause by an injury than damage caused by an insidious drug. My readings on the subject indicate that little is known about the mechanisms behind this fluoroquinolone-specific toxicity. It is believed that the tendon’s collagen fibers become disorganized and infiltrated with small blood vessels -- resulting in weakness. And there are no specific treatment plans for this problem.

After 2 months of living with these symptoms, I decided to change course.

My Approach to Healing:

Because I never believed my pain was the result of inflammation, I stopped icing and taking ibuprofen. Because stretching seemed to further weaken the tendon and set me back, I stopped stretching. Because I believe that the body heals itself best when used, I started cycling at an easy pace. I then worked-my-way-up to cycling more aggressively, and to walking in the neighborhood. That’s where I am today. Two days ago I had my first day without discomfort in 3 months. Yet, I have a long way to go. I am not yet hiking or running. It’s a slow healing process with occasional setbacks when I push my tendons a bit harder than I should, Given the progress I have made, I am hopeful for a full or nearly-full recovery in another few months.

Other things I have done in the past month:

1. Taken L-Lysine (1000mg daily), which is believed to aid collagen formation.

2. Taken Magnesium (250mg daily), which some believe may help leech the fluoroquinolone molecules from the tissues because of the affinity of these antibiotics for minerals.

3. Taken Fish oil pills (3000mg daily), which improves circulation

4. Used a heating pad, which improves circulation

5. Started regular Acupuncture (first time for me), which improves circulation

What you can do:

1, Be easy on your tendons until you get a handle on the problem. Don’t over-use tendons when they are in a weakened state.

2. “Listen” to your body and take steps you think best to help the healing process.

3. Tell your friends to beware of potential side effects from fluoroquinolones.

4. File a MedWatch report with the FDA at fda.gov.

5. Share your findings/advice on this forum.

Good Luck

I had my mirena inserted 2 months ago. Since then I have experienced severe burning and pain under my ribs which tends to move around my stomach. Has anyone else experienced this?