Floaters/After-Images/Photosensitivity/Black Spot: Is Cipro the cause?

[nickiq]

I am a 35-year-old woman of generally good health except for mild hypertension controlled by diet and exercise. In August 2004 I was prescribed a three-day course of Cipro for a suspected uti. Shortly after the taking this medication I noticed a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included: tingling in the extremities, muscle twitching, floaters, back pain, elevated heart rate, painful joints, and tired muscles. A visit to the neuro assured me that everything was okay after a battery of tests in November 2004(e.g. mri, ncv, emg...).

However,I have continued to have rather alarming visual symptoms even though the other symptoms I described have reduced. Currently, I have after-image problems, visual snow, sparks of light, blinking light and the previously mentioned floaters. I have also noticed that, occasionally, upon waking there is a black spot in the middle of my visual filed that disappears once I blink. Again, I returned to the neuro and more tests were ordered. I had a brain mri and mra in January 2006. I also visited the opthamologist. Both doctors again assured me that the various tests did not reveal any abnormalities.

Each time I am reassured everything is okay. A new symptom develops. Right now I have noticed that quick eye movement creates what can only be described as black specks.

I am convinced that the muscle/joint issues were related to Cipro. But, I am unsure about the visual problems. I feel that more tests will be useless but I am anxious about these problems nonetheless. Can you provide any insight? Anyone else w/ same symptoms?

[Forum-OD-MP]

okay those are all, in fact neurological symptoms.  so neuro is the place to go.  you're already doing all the right stuff.  i'm sorry no one can give you a straight answer, but neither can I.  those are neurological symtoms, not ophthalmological ones.

[mrsjet]

Hello,

I have never taken Cipro, and I don't have the muscular problems you describe, but when I wake up in the morning I, too, have a big black thing that disappears within a few blinks.  I also have lots of swirling lights, thousands of floaters, flashing lights when I blink, shimmery black dots when I move my eyes quickly.  And some trouble with glare in bright sunlight.  I have had fluoroscein angiograms, mri, and multiple examinations.  There is not a moment that goes by that I don't deal with visual symptoms.  But still, a year later,no diagnosis.  I am convinced it is a retinal problem...they'll figure it out when it gets worse, I am sure.  PLEASE let me know if you learn anything.

[Ag-i-doc]

that is not retinal.  it is also neurological.

[Scott29]

I'd like more information on why these symptoms are said to be neurological.  Floaters and light flashes have always been "retinal" from everything that I have been told or read.

[Ag-i-doc]

floaters and light flashes are usually retinal.

but "after-image problems, visual snow, sparks of light, blinking light" are not.

[Carol in PA]

nickiq:
The symptoms you described after taking Cipro are Lyme Disease symptoms.

http://www.canlyme.com/patsymptoms.html

Lyme bacteria are spirochetes, and when they die, the cell parts act as toxins until they are processed and detoxified by the liver.  
This causes some of the symptoms that you experienced, and is known as a Jarische Herxheimer reaction.

This is sometimes used as a test to see if a person has Lyme.
The physician prescribes an antibiotic that is known to kill Lyme bacteria, and if the person's symptoms get worse, he is considered to be having a Herxheimer reaction.
This would mean he probably has Lyme.

Lyme bacteria infects nerves.
If they infect the cranial nerve to the eyes, visual symptoms such as you described may result.

Here is a post from the Neurology forum, about people with floaters, visual static and other visual disturbances:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/33990.html

There are a number of people at LymeNet.org who have these visual disturbances, who have been diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=040348

If you are interested in more information, check out LymeNet.org.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[Ag-i-doc]

very informative!  thanks for the links

[kayhan]

hello,
nearly 5 years ago my brother who's 20 years now, complained of pain in his left eye. We went to some local eye specialist. Some of them advised glasses and some refered us to go to the capital, tehran. There, we visited dr,modarreszade who is a retina specialist. He told us that unfortunately the eye has lost 90% of its power. He said that a black spot has covered the retina. He also added that this illness has no remedy. We got disappointed and went back home . Now after 5 years he complains of similar pain this time in his right eye. We worry much about him now. Can you help us about it? I'll be most grateful.

[paula25]

hi. i know its been a couple months since nickiq posted about the cipro side effects but i came across the comment and realized that i had some of the same symptms after ttaking cipro. i never connected the two. i recently developed a dark pinpoint spot in the center of both eyes but no other symptoms. my last cipro dose was two or three days ago. i have never had floaters in my eyesight so i was a little worried when i noticed these spots. i think they are neurological because the spots are in the center feild of both eyes. if you read this nickiq, please  respond and let me know about your progress with this problem and if in fact it came from the cipro. it seems like a really big coincedence. i would hate to think the symptoms could get worse.

[GS712]

A related discussion, Cipro & Floaters was started.