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.

@uisge Hi! Sorry for my late reply, I just now saw your answer. Thank you for explaining the link between Clindamycin and tendons. I also read that it can damage collagen. It has now been 7 months since the pain and swelling in the back of my knees started, and it hasn't gone away, unfortunately. I can straighten my knees again, that is an improvement. But I can only walk for about 5 minutes before I have to sit down. I have tried many supplements, but nothing has made a really noticeable difference. How are you now? Do you feel like taking the collagen has helped you? All the best to you!

@taylor99 It's very slow healing... feels like two steps forward and one step back, you know? I think the collagen peptides are helping, I can definitely tell a difference if I skip a day or don't take at least 20 grams. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are the best from what I've read because that's easier for the body to absorb. Check out the labels, there are various sources- some from bone and connective tissue, some from cow hide, some from chicken, fish, inside of eggshells, and some are plant-based. The best i've found all all bovine from bones and connective tissue and is stupidly expensive. I try to get 20-30 grams per day. I also got some others at tj maxx orwallyworld, one of them is the mixed(from chicken, fish, inside of eggshells), and I trade off which I take.

I'm not doing any PT right now because I feel my tendons are too fragile (I don't know if the Clindamycin affects the collagen in ligaments), but I do try to keep moving however I get the same thing you do-move around and have to sit down. Really wrecks my shopping expeditions, haha! I can walk gently around one store, but need the drive-cart if I go to another.

Did you already report your experience to the FDA? If not, please consider doing so (they have a form on their website). Right now the side effect we've experienced is considered rare- so rare as to be considered 'anecdotal'. I don't think it's all that rare, but they need reports to prove that. Remember how long it took for the truth about floroquinalones (cipro, levaquin, and all in that family) to finally be revealed? And how many people suffered from it?

Wishing you all the best in your recovery - remember to be gentle with yourself.

@taylor99 I forgot to add that I also take prescription Ibuprofen (800) twice a day and a couple of Tylenol Arthritis (or the extra strength (650mg each). The Ibuprofen helps with inflammation and pain, and the Tylenol also for pain but not inflammation. They work on different parts of the brain. Over the counter ibuprofen makes my stomach hurt.
And I always take them with food and plenty of liquids.
There is a problematic consequence with the efficiency of the pain relievers- we move much more which can be detrimental, so I have to remind myself of that. sometimes I listen to my own good advice and sometimes I don't,and it's painful when I don't.

@uisge Oh yes, I totally agree to the steps forward and then backward. Do you also have swelling in your joints? How are your symptoms now? Sometimes I thought, oh, now it's really getting better, just to then have another setback. Sometimes from overuse, other times from certain supplements.

Thank you, I am taking 10 grams of collagen right now, I will increase my dose, maybe that will help. I also haven't started PT, out of fear to make things worse. But right now I am moving so little I surely have muscle loss in my legs. Did you consult any doctor about your symptoms so far? I went to an orthopedist, but nothing came out of it. I am scared of any medication at this point tbh, I have not tried Ibuprofen, I read that people who are floxed can get a lot worse from it.

I am in Europe, so I have not reported to the FDA. I will report to my local authorities. Thank you so much for your kind words! Sometimes it is hard to stay mentally strong. Wishing you a good recovery!