In my opinion, I would argue that adjusting lifestyle factors is the most important thing you can do while going through Fluoroquinolone Toxicity- in hopes of regaining your quality of life back and managing symptoms. Without the proper education of knowing what to stay away from you could unintentionally be working against your ability to recover or worse accidentally relapse your symptoms in the future.
There is a possibility for some of us to make a recovery and live our lives normally again, but one of the permanences in FQT/FQAD is needing to have an awareness of some of the things that can potentially worsen FQ symptoms (possibly life-long). It is important to remember even if you make a full recovery that exposure to some of these and especially when done continually may re-emerge symptoms.
Unfortunately, because we have a currently limited amount of guidance for FQT patients, staying away from triggers ultimately has to be a personal decision and sometimes a learning experience. Here I have gathered some of the known things that can be problematic for those with FQT. (Some but not limited to- this is not a full complete list)
*Nothing on this site is medical advice. This site is made for educational purposes only.
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+Meat & poultry raised using antibiotics or steroids. (Same applies to dairy products and eggs )
+Fluoride (in any form of water including spring)
RO water is effective in removing a lot of the fluoride content.
+Imported farm raised Shrimp or Seafood is known to have higher levels of FQs found in them. People have reported worsening of symptoms after consuming. (Check sourcing before consuming to be safe)
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+All pharamaceuticals that contain fluoride/fluorine (there are hundreds)
Some commonly used are:
+Fluoroquinolones: Including eye and ear drops
+Corticosteroids: Including steroid creams, inhalers, etc
+Some Fluorinated SSRIs ex: Prozac
+Other Fluorinated antibiotics like Flagyl (Metronidazole)
+Fluorinated antifungals ex: Diflucan (Fluconazole)
**A list of more pharmaceuticals that contain fluorine/fluoride here
Other medications:
+Medications that are known to cause mitochondrial toxicity effects. (Ex: NSAIDS, Statins, Chemotherapeutic agents, and more)
And here
Some most commonly used:
+All forms of NSAIDS/Ibprofen. Including gels and creams
+Note: Not all antibiotics are well tolerated by everyone with FQAD/FQT
+Quinolones & Quinine
-Note: Quinine can also be found in tonic water
+Pharmaceuticals that can cause or worsen neuropathy
**A list of medications that can cause or exacerbate existing peripheral neuropathy here
+Note: This is not a complete list, but examples of some that are more commonly prescribed.
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+Vitamin B6- can be known for causing worsening of neuropathy
+Green & Black Tea including matcha- (naturally contain high levels of fluoride)
+Cinchona Bark (has naturally occurring quinine and is where quinine is sourced from)
+Wormwood/artemisia- (Strong natural anti-microbial commonly found in anti-parasitic supplementation) (sometimes tolerated)
+Catsclaw-(Strong natural anti-microbial commonly found in anti-parasitic supplementation) (sometimes tolerated)
“The first thing after stopping the antibiotic is to avoid steroids like prednisone, NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, and antidepressants like Celexa or Prozac as these will all heighten toxicity symptoms. Many times it’s not just the Cipro that causes poisoning, it’s other medications combined with Cipro that allow the damage to ensue.”
-Dr. Mark Ghalili, DO
“In our experience, the number one cause of peripheral neuropathy are medication induced side effects. Typically, the fluoridated medications can lead to peripheral neuropathy, these include fluoroquinolone antibiotics, antidepressants, chemotherapy, and statin medications to mention a few. When the protective layer of the nerve called the endoneurium is compromised, this can lead to neuropathy.”
-Dr. Mark Ghalili, DO
“The most important thing to remember about Cipro and Levaquin (ciprofloxacin toxicity & levofloxacin toxicity) is that its effect is cumulative. Your first treatment may be successful and not cause any side effects. Then subsequent treatments can trigger the start of subtle symptoms as toxicity builds.”
Dr. Ghaili, DO website