Clindamycin And Joint/muscle Aches

Hi,

I've been on Clindamycin 150mg x3, 3 times a day to treat SI Joint MRSA. I've taken this for 11months. I started jogging (I use to be an elite marathon runner) 3 months ago. No problems.. just the typical shin splints and common running injuries. During the past month I'm experiencing weakness in legs and extream soreness in my calf muscles, to a degree that I can only walk for 10min. My hospital checkups are 3months apart and I'm supposed to be on antibiotics for at least 1yr. I've decided to stop taking antibiotics yesterday, due to the pain. I've read on forums of cases that Clindamycin can cause muscular and joint pain. Is this true??

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REPORT

Hello, Tracey! How are you?

Yes, the FDA does list muscle and joint pain as being possible side effects of this antibiotic, along with nausea, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea.

However, given that you've had MRSA, it would be best to inform your doctor, so they can prescribe an alternative antibiotic.

Have things improved, at all?

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It's taken a few weeks but the muscular pain and weakness is slowly disappearing, since being off antibiotics/clindmycin
I'm running again and on track to getting back to "normal"
It's such a relief.
Thank you.

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Hi Tracy, I read your post. I am an elite athlete and was on clindamycin for two weeks for tooth infection. I developed muscle tightness, weakness, spasms, cramps. Also some minor tingling. The calves are affected most. I didn't think much about the symptoms until I started to train again and I couldn't bc of severe weakness, spasms, and feeling like cramping and pain.
I have been able to pick things up slightly over the past 5 weeks. How long was it before you felt 100 %.
Did you have twitching and spasms too? I can't get definitive answers from doctors.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I'm on Clindamyacin for a severe tooth infection. My calf muscles hurt so bad im limping. It's really bad. I think I should get a new antibiotic.

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Re: Whendi (# 4)

Since my post last July I had found a doctor that knew something about these rare symptoms from some antibiotics. It was nice to find a dr. that acknowledged what was happening and gave good advice and outlook. It took a few months to function normally in everyday life without many symptoms, but it took months of slow progression back to the level of athletic training and competition I used to be at. I am nearly 100% now.

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Yes. I recently had a surgery that requires me to take two weeks of Clindamycin. The first week, no problem. Week two I only made it two full days before I couldn’t get out of bed. The pain started in my wrist and worked it’s way all the way up my arm and in both legs and flutes. Such immense pain! I took two Benadryl and called my doctor. He had me stop taking it and here I am recovering. I haven’t had any pain since I stopped, just aches like a sore feeling from a workout.

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Re: Bebe (# 6)

Have you recovered from the aches and pains since April? I'm having similar issues after a couple days of Clindamycin HCL, along with other issues.

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My girlfriend had and infection in her mouth from a toothache the dentist prescribed clindamycin 300 mg 3x a day she took it for a few days then she started to feel discomfort in her lower right leg she called the dentist he told her he didn’t think it was the meds and “not to believe the stuff you read on the internet “ she continued to take it she took 18 of the 21 pills prescribed until the leg pain was so bad she couldn’t even stand she stopped taking them 2 days ago and the pain still exists we are hoping that the pain will eventually go away but any advice would be helpful I have never seen someone in such pain it’s heartbreaking the drug should be banned!! PLEASE HELP. thank you

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Re: David (# 8)

I had a similar experience where I reported symptoms to the endodontist, and he said it could not be the Clindamycin. So I kept taking it. He was wrong and I ended up with debilitating symptoms, especially for athletic activity. I had the pain and muscle spasms all over my body, but the lower legs were the worst area and took the longest to heal. I followed the advice of a doctor, which was mainly to take good care of your body so it can heal the nerve cells. So full nights of sleep, good nutrition, and exercise as able slowly doing more over time. This may depend on your girlfriend's norm of exercise. I am a tennis competitor and engage in vigorous intense exercise. It took me several months to function in normal life with little symptoms anymore, and nearly a year to function at the level of intense athletic activity and competition that is my norm. I hope this helps. The good news is that I did heal. The doctors do need to listen when patients express side effects from drugs.

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Re: Lynn (# 9)

Hi Lynn
Thank you so much for replying to my post we are taking it day by day and are still hopeful that it will rectify it self in time my heart is breaking for her I hope you continue to improve

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Re: Lynn (# 9)

Did you have any cognitive issues? Foggy memory, slow train of thought, etc., in conjunction with the neuromuscular issues?

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Re: Rob (# 11)

No, I had no cognitive issues directly. I had psychological issues to deal with as in any traumatic and stressful experience--anxiety and depression during the process of finding out what was wrong, a doctor that could help, and the unknown outlook at the time.

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Re: David (# 8)

I just got done with my 21 clindamycin pills the Urfent care gave me for cellulitis. About the 3rd day in I couldn’t walk or close my hands. I went to the er and they said it was a form of arthritis and continue my antibiotics. Yesterday was my last day taking them and last night I was in the worst pain ever. My whole body from my knees to my elbows. It wasn’t just my feet and hands anymore. I’m still debating on going back to the er because I am in so much pain. But I’m so glad I’m done with those antibiotics

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