Amber Petersen: Floxed by Levofloxacin

Amber Petersen

A testimony on fluoroquinolone toxicity

Floxed by levofloxacin in 2025

It's more than just tendon damage.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics carry the FDA's strongest warning: a black box warning listing several serious, disabling and potentially permanent side effects, affecting the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and central nervous system.

In my experience, the damage they can do to the whole body is comparable to chemotherapy. And they are deceptive: you can take one course without any problem, then react badly the second time.

What I live with since being floxed

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Pudendal neuralgia

• Digestive dysmotility

• Chronic tendinopathy

• Worsening degenerative disc disease

• Rapidly progressing arthritis

• Muscle wasting, weakness and cramps

• Worsening hip dysplasia

• More insomnia, anxiety and medical PTSD

• A weakened immune system

• Increased brain fog

• Deep fatigue that rest does not relieve

I am in pain every second of every day. And because of this toxicity, I now react badly to many medications, including anti-inflammatories, steroids and gabapentinoids. Just to get through basic daily tasks, I have to take opioids, muscle relaxants and acetaminophen every day.

I have lost most of my quality of life. I can no longer work. I rarely leave the house, usually once a week for appointments, or to run errands with my husband on a better day. Outside, I need a wheelchair; at home, a rollator. My days are organized around alarms for medications, supplements and physical therapy.

It could have been avoided

My doctor only had to check the black box warning and give me informed consent. She did neither. And since then, almost every doctor I have seen has dismissed me instead of taking two minutes to look it up.

Please don't end up like me.
Always ask for an alternative.

▶ Watch Amber's video on Facebook

Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Awareness Day — October 22, 2026
FQ100.org
#askforanalternative #FQTAwarenessDay #fluoroquinolonetoxicity #FQAD #chronicillness #disability

Amber Petersen — personal testimony shared with permission.
This is an individual account, not medical advice.