On June 27th, 2025, I was poisoned after taking only 3 x 500 mg pills of the antibiotic Cipro(floxacin), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. I soon developed fluoroquinolone toxicity syndrome, and now suffer from fluoroquinolone-associated disability (FQAD). The result is widespread mitochondrial damage to the cells in my body, which in turn set off a horrifically long set of injuries to my nerves, muscles, tendons, joints and soft tissue, which left me in daily pain and resulted in serious mobility issues. There is no cure, but there are treatments available to me which can result in varying degrees of possible recovery -which can take years- and rehabilitation, however, many of these treatments are beyond my financial means; platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for my tendons; hyperbolic oxygen therapy; high quality monthly vitamin and mineral supplements; red light therapy, and others. I now face a long and uncertain road ahead, and so, despite my apprehension to ask for help, I have launched a GoFundMe; both in the hope of raising awareness to the dangers associated with taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, which I myself was unaware of before my injury, and to assist me in navigating a possible path to my recovery. Thank you so much to everyone who reads this, and please, avoid taking a fluoroquinolone antibiotic: you can read the dangers associated with these antibiotics here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8542490/ And here: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/fluoroquinolone-antibiotics-reminder-of-the-risk-of-disabling-and-potentially-long-lasting-or-irreversible-side-effects

And if want to learn more about my best friend, Anubis the Dog (pictured with me above) you can do so here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DR3KLsQCc5B/

One bright note: 4 months after my injury, the CDC released a newly created ICD-10 code (International Classification of Diseases) T36.AX5, for the adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. This will hopefully assist me, and those like me who were injured, to raise further awareness of the potentially lifelong injuries associated with taking this dangerous class of antibiotics.