: LEVAQUIN • FLUOROQUINOLONE TOXICITY • SPINAL CSF LEAKS

 

MEET KAREN SHETTLER PADDOCK

Karen’s published journal tells the powerful truth of what she endured after being poisoned by the fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Levaquin® (levofloxacin). Her story includes fluoroquinolone toxicity, systemic tendinitis, chronic pain, intracranial hypotension,

and spinal CSF leaks.

• Saw 35 doctors before a diagnosis of spinal CSF leak in 2012.

• Endured numerous procedures and extraordinary pain.

• Died on August 7, 2013.

“There is nothing wrong with you. You are just doing this to get attention or pain pills.”

— Words Karen heard far too often.

KAREN’S JOURNAL

Karen’s Journal of CSF Leak Headaches and Chronic Pain

How Intracranial Hypotension and the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Levaquin® (Levofloxacin) Killed Me

by the late Karen Shettler Paddock & Robert Paddock

Bob preserved her words — more than 9,000 journal entries, diaries and emails — and turned them into a book so others could

benefit from her experiences. He receives no money from sales; 100% of royalties go to the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation.

KAREN’S JOURNEY — A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

October 1989 Car Accident

Karen was in a serious car accident. Headaches, neck pain and other symptoms began in this period.

2004 Levaquin® (Levofloxacin)

Karen was prescribed Levaquin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. According to Bob, symptoms they associated with the

fluoroquinolone exposure emerged approximately six months later.

2004 and Beyond A Long, Difficult Road

Years passed before they understood the connection to the antibiotic: Fluoroquinolone toxicity • Systemic tendinitis •

Intracranial hypotension • Chronic pain • Life-changing disability

2012 Spinal CSF Leak Diagnosis

After being evaluated by 35 doctors, Karen received a diagnosis of a possible spinal CSF leak.

August 7, 2013 Karen Passed Away

THE CONNECTION THAT DESERVES SERIOUS ATTENTION

63 PEOPLE

Bob Paddock has now heard directly from 63 people who report that their own CSF leak began after taking a

fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

• Karen’s published story explicitly describes fluoroquinolone antibiotic poisoning from Levaquin® (levofloxacin) and systemic

tendinitis as part of her medical history.

• Bob has spoken about the FQ–CSF leak connection within the CSF leak community, including presenting his observations

at the first CSF Leak conference. This brought the issue to the attention of many physicians who specialize in CSF leaks.

• Fluoroquinolones are known to cause serious connective tissue injuries, including tendinitis and tendon rupture. The spinal

dura is connective tissue. Connective tissue weakness is a recognized risk factor for spontaneous CSF leaks.

• Sixty-three patient reports should not be ignored. The FQ–CSF leak connection deserves serious attention, careful

documentation and dedicated scientific research.

THERE ARE THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP

1. Donate Directly

Please consider supporting the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation. Donations help fund research, education, awareness, and support

for people whose lives are affected by spinal CSF leaks.

Donate here: spinalcsfleak.org/donate

2. Buy Karen’s Book

If you would like to learn much more about Karen’s experience in her own words, consider purchasing her book. Bob Paddock

receives NO MONEY from sales of Karen’s book — 100% of the royalties from the purple cover book (paperback or Kindle) go to

the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation.

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (also in Kindle format).

3. Read Karen & Bob’s Story

Learn more about Karen and Bob’s journey and the mission of the Foundation:

spinalcsfleak.org/when-pain-is-relentless

KAREN LEFT BEHIND HER WORDS. BOB MADE SURE THEY WEREN’T LOST.

NOW WE CAN HELP MAKE SURE THEY’RE HEARD.

Read. Donate. Purchase the book. Share. Awareness may help the next person find an answer sooner.

SPINAL CSF LEAK FOUNDATION — Hope. Help. Healing.