Clindamycin caused Tendonitis

An uncommon reported side effect is polyarthrits.
Get checked out with lab for eosinophilia, inflammation markers and
metabolic profile with enzymes in case it is a more serious adverse frug reaction.

Recovery can take 3 weeks to 6 months, but is usual. PT would advantage your recovery. Have you been advised anti inflammatory medications.

@seniormed Thank you. not fun to think about adding polyarthritis to the already existing arthritis. I'll check with my podiatrist (he replaced my ankle last year) to see if he can recommend a doc I can see about this mess and get those labs run. My biggest concern and what scares me the most is tendon tears and/or ruptures, I've had that after taking cipro and levaquin years ago.

@gently Thank you- I'm a believer in PT, I already take Ibuprofen 800 twice a day for osteo and inflammatory arthritis pain, so I have that going at least.

@uisge Hi, how are your symptoms now? I also experienced an adverse reaciton after Clindamycin, I have knee pain in both knees. Did you find anything that helped you?

@taylor99 Good morning - I still have tendonitis in various places, but nothing like it was. However, it's pretty bad in my right groin on down the thigh both sides of leg, shoulders are still painful but not like it was And other places but not like before. I did some research on how Clindamycin damages tendons, and it's pretty scary though it explains the pain and burning i experienced. This one's from A.I.: 'AI report: While clindamycin is not the primary antibiotic class typically associated with severe tendinopathy, it is recognized to pose risks for Achilles tendonitis and potential tendon ruptures. The damage generally occurs through antibiotic-induced interference with connective tissue metabolism, causing tendon degeneration and collagen weakness.
How Clindamycin Damages Tendons:
• Collagen Breakdown: It may induce the downregulation or degradation of collagen fibers, which are essential for tendon strength and structure.
• Matrix Weakening: It inhibits the body’s ability to repair and produce new collagen, disrupting the connective tissue repair process.
• Increased Risk Factors: The risk is higher in individuals over 60, those using concurrent corticosteroids, and people with underlying joint issues.

So, I read up on what helps restore collagen in tendons and there are many sources. I'm taking collagen peptides, drinking bone broth, eating beef (for me, a small roast slow cooked in liquid so it allows the connective tissues to become more accessible to the body- you're looking for the juice to become gelatinous when cold, that means collagen), I added a zinc supplement, and upped my citrus intake to every day.

I also read that it can take as long as six months to heal. Also that steroids are not the answer since they can cause more tissue damage to already damaged tendons. For exercise, I can now do some slow and gentle walking. Don't stop moving unless it hurts too bad, just be very gentle.Remember that your tendons don't have the elasticity they used to have pre-antibiotic, and can tear much more easily.

I made a report to the FDA, they have a form online that you can fill out and either fax or mail. There are no warnings about this antibiotic and tendon damage, much of what I learned said it's very rare as to be considered 'anecdotal' but I've also learned that is incorrect. (remember, there used to not be any warning on the floroquinilones - cipro, levaquin, etc -, either, and now they have a black box warning about tendon damage).
Please consider reporting your reaction to the FDA, if they get enough reports and look into them, maybe Clindamycin will also have a warning so people can be aware of potential problems.

Good luck and keep me posted on what you find works for you, please.