Medical fund for Jared Peña
Donation protected
Friends and family,
The last 4 months have been incredibly difficult for our family. My brother has been very ill and is now in a wheelchair, fighting to regain his health and mobility. Seeing someone you love, especially someone as kind, loving, and wonderful as Jared in so much pain has been harder than any of us could have possibly expected and although it is hard to do, we are reaching out for your help.
Here is Jared’s story in his own words:
“This has been the hardest time of my life. Four months ago I was in the best shape of my life, running several miles each morning, feeling strong and healthy. Around this time, I had some pain in my bladder and even though tests were negative for a UTI, the doctor prescribed the antibiotic Levaquin. I was uncomfortable about taking it because of the pharmacist’s warning that it can cause tendon rupture. I expressed this concern to my doctor who assured me that I would be fine and he’d never seen that happen. I took a 10 day course and didn’t think anything of it.
About a month later, I had a terrible cramp in my leg and wasn’t feeling well so I went to the doctor. My vitals were okay so they sent me home. After 2 days of feeling unwell and being told I was fine, I was concerned enough that I checked myself into the ER. They did a CT scan on me and found multiple pulmonary emboli in my lungs and a blood clot in my leg. They had never seen anyone with so many pulmonary emboli who was still alive. They said that if I hadn’t checked myself into the hospital, I probably would’ve gone to sleep that night and never woken up.
The next 3 months, I spent most of my time with doctors and at the ER for blood clot related symptoms. Meanwhile, I’ve had multiple joints and tendons tearing, slipped disks, hernias, and nerve pain that doctors have been baffled by. Everyone had their own theory, but I saw specialist after specialist and nobody knew why the tendons were tearing off my bones with little to no movement.
The blood clot in my leg continued to worsen so I found the best blood clot doctor in the state at UCLA, and had a procedure to remove the clot from my leg a few weeks ago. The surgery was a success, but I had a serious cardiac arrhythmia immediately following that the doctors cannot explain, but was likely a side effect of the anesthesia.
Meanwhile, my joint and tendon issues continue to worsen. Every time I move, every joint in my body pops and my tendons are so weak that I’m bedridden and require a wheelchair to move. After months of doctors confirming the physical damage with no explanation as to the cause, I finally got a diagnosis of Fluoroquinolone Toxicity, which kills off connective tissues, something about 1% of people experience after taking antibiotics like Levaquin”.
Last week, Jared began treatment in Los Angeles for FQAD (Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Associated Disability), a crippling condition caused by Levaquin. He has spent the last several months seeing specialists and seeking both mainstream and alternative treatments for this condition. Most of these treatment providers don’t take insurance, and we have had to pay for costly medical treatment, travel, room and board. For the first time in his adult life, my brother is unable to work and is being cared for by our parents.
The next step of his treatment, and potentially the most impactful, is Stem Cell Treatment. This procedure gives Jared the best chance to start healing and to walk again. He has spoken to other FQAD survivors who said this procedure was a turning point in their recovery.
However, the clinic is located in Minnesota and the treatment is costly and considered experimental so will not be covered by insurance. Funds raised will go to pay for this procedure and for my brother and mother to stay in Minnesota while Jared is undergoing treatment. My family and I are extremely grateful for all of you who have kept us in your hearts and prayers and we deeply appreciate any financial help that you can offer to support my brother’s treatments and healing. Thank you all so much.
The last 4 months have been incredibly difficult for our family. My brother has been very ill and is now in a wheelchair, fighting to regain his health and mobility. Seeing someone you love, especially someone as kind, loving, and wonderful as Jared in so much pain has been harder than any of us could have possibly expected and although it is hard to do, we are reaching out for your help.
Here is Jared’s story in his own words:
“This has been the hardest time of my life. Four months ago I was in the best shape of my life, running several miles each morning, feeling strong and healthy. Around this time, I had some pain in my bladder and even though tests were negative for a UTI, the doctor prescribed the antibiotic Levaquin. I was uncomfortable about taking it because of the pharmacist’s warning that it can cause tendon rupture. I expressed this concern to my doctor who assured me that I would be fine and he’d never seen that happen. I took a 10 day course and didn’t think anything of it.
About a month later, I had a terrible cramp in my leg and wasn’t feeling well so I went to the doctor. My vitals were okay so they sent me home. After 2 days of feeling unwell and being told I was fine, I was concerned enough that I checked myself into the ER. They did a CT scan on me and found multiple pulmonary emboli in my lungs and a blood clot in my leg. They had never seen anyone with so many pulmonary emboli who was still alive. They said that if I hadn’t checked myself into the hospital, I probably would’ve gone to sleep that night and never woken up.
The next 3 months, I spent most of my time with doctors and at the ER for blood clot related symptoms. Meanwhile, I’ve had multiple joints and tendons tearing, slipped disks, hernias, and nerve pain that doctors have been baffled by. Everyone had their own theory, but I saw specialist after specialist and nobody knew why the tendons were tearing off my bones with little to no movement.
The blood clot in my leg continued to worsen so I found the best blood clot doctor in the state at UCLA, and had a procedure to remove the clot from my leg a few weeks ago. The surgery was a success, but I had a serious cardiac arrhythmia immediately following that the doctors cannot explain, but was likely a side effect of the anesthesia.
Meanwhile, my joint and tendon issues continue to worsen. Every time I move, every joint in my body pops and my tendons are so weak that I’m bedridden and require a wheelchair to move. After months of doctors confirming the physical damage with no explanation as to the cause, I finally got a diagnosis of Fluoroquinolone Toxicity, which kills off connective tissues, something about 1% of people experience after taking antibiotics like Levaquin”.
Last week, Jared began treatment in Los Angeles for FQAD (Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Associated Disability), a crippling condition caused by Levaquin. He has spent the last several months seeing specialists and seeking both mainstream and alternative treatments for this condition. Most of these treatment providers don’t take insurance, and we have had to pay for costly medical treatment, travel, room and board. For the first time in his adult life, my brother is unable to work and is being cared for by our parents.
The next step of his treatment, and potentially the most impactful, is Stem Cell Treatment. This procedure gives Jared the best chance to start healing and to walk again. He has spoken to other FQAD survivors who said this procedure was a turning point in their recovery.
However, the clinic is located in Minnesota and the treatment is costly and considered experimental so will not be covered by insurance. Funds raised will go to pay for this procedure and for my brother and mother to stay in Minnesota while Jared is undergoing treatment. My family and I are extremely grateful for all of you who have kept us in your hearts and prayers and we deeply appreciate any financial help that you can offer to support my brother’s treatments and healing. Thank you all so much.
Organizer
Rachel Pena
Organizer
Nevada City, CA