Castor Oil

Just wanted to share an experience I had with castor oil. I was given Cipro for a UTI and had a severe reaction.....it attacked both Achilles tendons. ER did nothing to help and pain was excruciating. I had my hubby rub castor oil on my ankles several times a day and after a few days, I was better. Cipro (I found out later) can cause tears in Achilles and other tendons in body. DO NOT TAKE IT!
Hi Donna,
Unfortunately this is a common side effect of Ciprofloxacin and other common ones in this group include Levofloxacin and Norfloxacin. This group of drugs called Fluoroquinolones are noted for this problem as discussed here :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921747/
Even though you stop taking the drug, the potential problem can persist for months as outlined here:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688016.html
Taking ciprofloxacin increases the risk, up to several months afterward.
Sadly, statin drugs are also known or suspected to cause similar problems as mentioned here :
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10919-tendinitis
I wrote a post on EC about a friend who successfully treated his torn tendons and ligaments from multiple courses of Cipro using a couple of common supplements Since the potential for further damage can last for months after stopping Cipro, it may be worth reading that post, here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/collagen-for-torn-ligaments.html
Good luck and keep us posted!
Art
Overgaard, Az
09/12/2020
I'm going to try the cataract treatment and the memory berry!
Thank you all at the Earth clinic.
Blessings to all,
Maureen B.
Houston
09/12/2020
FYI -
The safety warning for Fluoroquinolones was updated in 2018, and" states that fluoroquinolone antibiotics can increase the occurrence of rare but serious events of ruptures or tears in the main artery of the body, called the aorta. These tears, called aortic dissections, or ruptures of an aortic aneurysm can lead to dangerous bleeding or even death. They can occur with fluoroquinolones for systemic use given by mouth or through an injection. People at increased risk include those with a history of blockages or aneurysms (abnormal bulges) of the aorta or other blood vessels, high blood pressure, certain genetic disorders that involve blood vessel changes, and the elderly....disabling side effects of the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system, peripheral neuropathy, tendinitis and tendon rupture, significant decreases in blood sugar and certain mental health side effects have been reported when taking and many months and even years, after taking fluoroquinolones. (Taken from the FDA website)
Fluoroquinolones includes the most frequently prescribed antibiotics Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox among others.
I was first "floxxed" about 20 years ago when I had surgery and not knowing what it was doing to my body, I took it several times after as well. I continue to have many health issues as a result of taking Cipro as I was permanently damaged. There are other health conditions that are not included in the "black box" warning that have been associated with fluorquinolone usage but there are many, many online groups that indicate their is much more damage that has been done as a result of taking them.
https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20190208/fluoroquinolones-over-prescribed-despite-dangers

A few months ago, my husband had a tear in his achilles tendon. The podiatrist gave him some sort of splint to wear, even before the mri results came back, but it didn't really seem to help. One evening, I rubbed some castor oil on the bottom of his foot and up the back of his leg. The pain subsided about 75%, and he healed very quickly from that point on.
Dietary Changes

I learned that pectin was the culprit for my "Achilles heel". Pectin is another hidden source of MSG. When I learned the possible cause of pain so bad I could hardly walk, I eliminated pectin from my diet and voila the pain went away.
It is important to mention that, for years, I had been in the process of weeding MSG out of my diet which included the flowing agent in common table salt.
Moxibustion, Cupping and Acupuncture

I ran a marathon on a Sunday. Not until the following Monday evening, but without a doubt, I had some serious inflammation in my achilles. Ouch. I went to the doc, who told me to get a small brace from cvs and lay off it for a while. And take some ibuprofen.
I received moxibustion at a previous Acupunture visit. As well as a stick to do it myself. I combo'd the heat, then cupping on the calf, the tendon and the bottom of the foot. the swelling reduced drastically!! And the pain was only minimal. After two treatments and some stretching.
I later went to the Acupunture clinic (PCOM) and received about 10 mini needles in my ankle and a few others to fill the path. I am going to lay off it for another week for safety sake, but I feel cured.
Fountain Inn, Sc
09/16/2014
Hello Jess R H,
Re your Achilles Tendon issue;
Interesting three part combo. I've not been helped much by acupuncture but I know it works by how it helps others. Cupping is something I'd like to try and never have.
But if those don't finally do the trick you might consider DMSO. (google DMSO, Dr Jacobs, 60 minutes ... for a three part series on topical application of that miracle substance.
Stiff Running Shoes

I have struggled with Achilles tendonitis in first one heel and then the other. The trick for me was to switch from a soft soled running shoe to a stiffer one. The theory is that the food gets lazy in a soft, squishy shoe and a stiffer one makes the foot work harder, taking pressure off the Achilles tendon. I switched shoes last week and already I am having some relief. I also found that having too low a heel in my running shoes did not help.
Turmeric, DMSO

I'm a 45 year old male who used to be athletic. Over the last 5 years I lived a sedentary life and gained weight. I am trying to get back into shape by playing basketball and tennis. Unfortunately my Achilles tendons felt as if they were going to tear after a short period of exercise. I tried stretching, rest, ice, compression, elevation, etc. No help.
Then I purchased turmeric capsules and a small bottle of DMSO. I took the turmeric, 500 mg, two times a day and rubbed the DMSO on my afflicted area. IMMEDIATELY I saw improvement. I now play regularly with no pain whatsoever. Occasionally I'll have pain elsewhere and I'll rub the DMSO on it. I continue to take the turmeric daily.
Malaysia
09/12/2014
Hi David,
I ruptured my achilles tendon while playing football. It's been 6 weeks now. I am using a splint which should be coming off next week.
I have read about DMSO and it seems to work. Could you share with me the bottle/brand of DMSO you used? Did you have any rashes on your skin while applying it?
Thanks.
Mahinder
Louisiana, US
01/17/2015
To be honest I don't remember which brand of DMSO I purchased. It was a 2 oz bottle for around $8 on Amazon.
England
11/23/2018
Safest dmso whether its 99% undiluted or various concentrations mixed with Aloe Vera gel is Dr Jacob brand.
Remember to be carefull as dmso will take toxins passed blood brain barrier so read all info and respect it as this is by far the best product for pain.
Vitamin E Oil, Stretching

I suffered with Achilles tendonitis for 2 years and the doctors and physical therapists wee making it worse. Then I meet a new PT who fixed the problem in one month with soft stretching exercises, walking different (I used to walk toe to heel) and Vitamin E Oil.
Try rubbing Vitamin E Oil in that area until it warms up once or twice a day, especially prior to exercise. The amount is whatever is enough to cover the area and soak through. Make sure to keep it warm after, fast cool downs of the tendon seem to cause problems.