LDN after being floxed - neuropathy, brain fog, fatigue: San Antonio TX Integrative Functional Medicine Dr. Kim
- John Kim
- Aug 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Question:
Has anyone here taken LDN after being floxed?My daughter was floxed over a year ago (had an adverse reaction to fluoroquinolone antibiotics). Thankfully, her tendons have healed and she had been doing well.
However, after her last PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment, she started experiencing nerve pain in her arms—described as a throbbing, achy sensation.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Did LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) help with nerve pain after being floxed?
Answer:
What is floxed?
Being "floxed" refers to experiencing adverse effects from a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, which include drugs like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox).
These antibiotics can, in some cases, cause severe side effects, including:
Tendon rupture or pain
Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
Joint and muscle pain
Brain fog, insomnia, and mood changes
Fatigue and weakness
People who experience these long-lasting or disabling side effects often say they have been "floxed"—a term derived from the common suffix “-floxacin” found in fluoroquinolone drug names.
Can Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) Help with Tendon Pain, Neuropathy, Fatigue, and Brain Fog?
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is gaining recognition as a versatile tool in managing chronic pain, inflammation, and immune-related symptoms. But can it help with common, hard-to-treat issues like tendon pain, nerve damage, joint aches, brain fog, mood swings, and chronic fatigue?
Let’s take a closer look at how LDN may help—and where its limits lie.
🔹 1. Tendon Rupture or Tendon Pain
LDN can reduce pain and inflammation in tendons but won’t repair torn tissue.
Helpful for: Chronic tendinopathy, post-fluoroquinolone tendon issues, inflammatory tendon pain
Mechanism: Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and calms immune overactivation
Limitation: LDN won’t heal full tendon ruptures (which may require surgery or regenerative therapy)
💡 Verdict: LDN is useful for symptom relief, not structural repair.
🔹 2. Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy)
LDN shows significant promise in managing nerve-related pain and discomfort.
Helpful for: Diabetic neuropathy, post-viral neuropathy, small fiber neuropathy, autoimmune neuropathies
Mechanism: Modulates microglia in the nervous system and increases natural endorphins
Evidence: Preclinical and anecdotal reports support its use in neuropathic pain management
💡 Verdict: LDN is a promising option for reducing nerve pain and inflammation.
🔹 3. Joint and Muscle Pain
LDN is often used to treat muscle aches, joint stiffness, and autoimmune arthritis.
Helpful for: Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, lupus
Mechanism: Reduces central sensitization and calms the immune system
Benefits: Often allows reduction in NSAID or steroid use when used consistently
💡 Verdict: LDN is highly effective in many chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions.
🔹 4. Brain Fog, Insomnia, and Mood Swings
Many patients report improvements in mental clarity and emotional stability with LDN.
Brain fog: LDN may reduce neuroinflammation affecting cognition
Mood changes: Boosts endorphin production, which can support emotional regulation
Sleep: Results vary—some sleep better, others experience vivid dreams or early insomnia
Tips:
If LDN causes sleep disturbance, try morning dosing instead of bedtime
Effects on mood are generally stabilizing, but psychiatric oversight is advised for major mood disorders
💡 Verdict: LDN can improve brain fog and mood, but dosing adjustments may be needed for sleep-related issues.
🔹 5. Fatigue and Weakness
LDN has shown benefit in chronic fatigue, particularly when tied to immune dysfunction.
Helpful for: Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, long COVID, autoimmune fatigue
Mechanism: Improves immune balance and may indirectly support mitochondrial function
Clinical observations: Many patients report gradual improvement in energy and stamina
💡 Verdict: LDN can be a helpful tool in restoring energy in chronic fatigue syndromes.
📊 Summary Table
Symptom | Can LDN Help? | Key Takeaway |
Tendon Pain/Rupture | 🟨 Partial | Reduces inflammation, not structural repair |
Peripheral Neuropathy | ✅ Yes | Strong support in pain relief and inflammation |
Joint and Muscle Pain | ✅ Yes | Effective in autoimmune or chronic pain |
Brain Fog, Insomnia, Mood | 🟨 Often | Mixed results; monitor sleep and mood |
Fatigue and Weakness | ✅ Yes | Especially in post-viral or autoimmune fatigue |
📝 Final Thoughts
While LDN is not a magic bullet, its ability to reduce inflammation, modulate the immune system, and improve nerve function makes it a valuable therapy for many chronic, difficult-to-treat conditions.
If you’re experiencing nerve pain, joint stiffness, cognitive fog, or chronic fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider about whether Low-Dose Naltrexone might be right for you. A personalized treatment plan, careful dosing, and monitoring are key to success.
📘 Learn More
My book, LDN Therapy: Low Dose Naltrexone plus Other Tools for Healing, dives deeper into how LDN works and how it can be combined with integrative strategies for chronic illness. Available now on Amazon.com.
📘 Serving San Antonio TX Integrative & Functional Medicine Using LDN for Treatng Neuropathy, Brain Fog, Fatigue
Dr. Yoon Hang Kim, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in integrative functional medicine, dedicated to uncovering root causes and providing personalized healing for chronic and complex conditions. He is a recognized expert in Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for treating neuropathy, brain fog, and fatigue. He offers telemedicine services across multiple states—including Quincy, IL and throughout Illinois, San Antonio TX and all of Texas, Missouri, Florida, and Atlanta as well as the rest of Georgia.
contact Dr. Kim: https://hushforms.com/directintegrativecare-secure-contact-form
Keywords: San Antonio TX Integrative Functional Medicine LDN Neuropathy Brain Fog Fatigue
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