Avoid Cipro Like the Plague

-LawyersandSettlements

08/09/2008- John suffers from chronic respiratory problems and for the past four years, he has been treated with Cipro. "It helped my breathing but I just found out that a tendon in my shoulder has separated—I am sure Cipro is to blame," says John.

John took 750 mg of the fluoroquinolone twice a day for 10 days. A few weeks ago, he was using a cordless drill to mount a picture on the wall. "I was holding the drill and all of a sudden I got a sharp pain in my right shoulder and my arm dropped," says John. "I couldn't hold my arm up; I lost all strength and without my control it just came down."

John saw his doctor and he ordered an MRI. " He also injected a steroid into my shoulder but it gave no relief," says John. "The MRI results showed a tendon in my right shoulder had ruptured and separated--right now there is a one-inch separation of this tendon.

I had no idea how this could have happened. The MRI results stated the following: 'a complete full thickness tear of the sutraspinatus tendon with medial retraction of the tendon body'. It goes on: 'A full thickness and near complete tear of the infrastinatus tendon. Subscapularis tendon myopathy.'

The surgeon told me I need a complete shoulder replacement joint. With the problems and damage, I will need three orthopedic specialists to perform the surgery: one neurosurgeon, one orthopedic surgeon and a third surgeon who specializes in connective tissue. And I might need donor tissue from a cadaver or artificial material, one of the two.

It is my opinion that this all happened from taking Cipro. I never experienced any trauma, and I didn't do any heavy lifting—at all. I just held a lightweight cordless drill and everything in my shoulder popped. I am only 53 and except for my pulmonary problem, I was in pretty good shape--up until this incident.

The Cipro manufacturer did not give any notice of contradictions of any steroids and now I found out that steroids, combined with fluoroquinolones (i.e. Cipro) compound the damage. Now with the black box warning, it apparently recognizes that there is a contradiction with steroids. Instead of having moderate tears, complete tears can result. The two will compound damage to the connective tissues—a bad combination.

First and foremost, I need my shoulder repaired before any more atrophy happens to the muscle or tissue. Recovery time is about six months. Meanwhile, I'm on Percocets 7.5 mg and inflammatory meds until I get surgery. In fact they have even talked about reverse surgery repair but I don't want to go there.

Regardless, I will have limited use and range of motion. One doctor at Duke University hospital said I will not be able to lift anything heavier than a glass of water for three months post-op. Luckily I am retired but I'm unable to enjoy a quality of life. This year is going to be physically challenging and who wants to spend a year going through surgery and physical therapy because of a drug company's greed? And I bet a lot of people out there are likely worse off than me."

If you or a loved one have experienced serious side effects or injury as a result of Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as tendonitis, torn ligament, or ruptured tendons, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact one of our Fluoroquinolone lawyers today for more information regarding your legal rights. For more information about a potential Fluoroquinolone lawsuit, or Fluoroquinolone side effects, fill out our free case evaluation form or call the toll-free number listed below.