Tendonitis after taking fluoroquinolones for about three months

Dear Ask The Doctor: I took Levaquin and cipro about 3 years ago for my prostatitis on and off for about 1 year. I am not sure the exact time but I took the stuff for 90 to 120 days total over about 1 year. Only warning I was told about was ruptured Achilles tendon which I didn't have so I didn't link my other problems to the drug and kept taking it because it did help my severe prostate pain. I noticed aches and pains in all my tendons since and after a few years has passed the pain has continued. I fell like I an old man and it takes much time to even get out of bed or up out of a chair and moving. The bottoms of my feet are so sore I can hardly walk. Calves down to my heals are sore. Right shoulder and left elbow tendons sore and Back of Neck and back too. Biceps near elbow and up as well as back of elbow. Feet from heal to toes hurt including tops of feet. Wrist fingers and back of hand bother me. Maybe I should just say I hurt all over except my face and eye lids. I also noticed ringing in my ears when this all started too and it never goes away. Just walking up or down steps and I get and hear threads in my knees tearing followed by pain which seems to get better in time only to happen again. Example, all I need to do it put pressure on my elbow to turn over in bed and I hear and feel threads tearing again in my elbows and shoulders. Are my tendons still brittle or just reoccurring tendonitis form the initial doses I took a few years back? I ache so bad I can't sleep nights and took so much aleve and other over the counter pain meds my stomach is upset to the point I am sitting on the toilet about 10 times a day. I have made an appointment with the doctor for next week. I know I can't get by with over the counter meds any longer and they don't help much anyway. I had 45 codeine pills for a sinus surgery I had in 2009 and taking one of those before bedtime at least allowed me to sleep some. Is Tramadol something I can take long term? Other suggestions? What can I do? Thank you, Dennis

Dear Dennis: It is a well-known fact the link between Fluoroquinolones and Tendons problems. Cipro tendon ruptures can involve the Achilles heel, shoulder, hand, bicep or thumb. The risk of tendon ruptures or of Cipro tendonitis (tendinitis) increased in patients older than 60, people who have received kidney, heart or lung transplants, and people on steroid therapy. Tendon ruptures can occur in patients who do not have any of those risk factors and can also occur several months after patients finish their Cipro treatment. It is important for you at this point go to your appointment with the doctor, because neither codeine nor tramadol are drugs for a long term use. Your doctor will discuss with you your treatment options.