Well, it seems as though I have struck a nerve, with at least one person out there that has also been affected by the antibiotic Cipro. My update was not written to discredit any ones’ pain or suffering from this devastating drug; it was merely written to give hope and to state my current condition one year after being poisoned by Cipro.
Let me state that I am not a medical professional and I am not suggesting that what I have done or what I am currently doing, is or was a “cure” to the side effects that I suffered. If you choose to read and follow my journey, that is up to you. I went to traditional doctors, a chiropractor and a health nutritionist. The traditional doctors did little for me with the exception of saying that I was “rare” and asked me if I wanted pain meds. The chiropractor and the nutritionist gave me suggestions and told me why they were suggesting certain supplements and foods.
I chose to follow their suggestions as I had no others. I was desperate; and willing to try just about anything, with-in reason, in hopes to regain the ability to walk and dance again; like a normal person and without pain. I wanted my old life back. I wanted my body back; I was weary of being in constant pain. I made every effort possible to not allow my pain to rob me of everything that I enjoyed.
I continued dancing through the pain; with knees and ankles braced, and feet taped. I took too much Ibuprofen in order to do so. Was it easy? No, it was not. Did it hurt like hell? Yes, especially after I stopped dancing. My feet and legs throbbed all night long and I often spent an entire day down and out; paying for those few hours of enjoyment. But let me tell you, those few hours of painful enjoyment allowed my spirit to soar, to hold out hope that someday things would be better.
Currently I am growing my own "damn beets!" |
One year down the road, some things are better. The pain in my muscles, joints and tendons is greatly reduced. My toes bend again and I can even use them to walk. My knees and hips bend and there is less popping. Is this because I ate red beets? I would say no. Is this because of the supplements? Probably not directly. Is there a magic cure? Unfortunately not. But is there hope? Yes, there is hope and if everything I did and ingested helped me to heal, I am glad that I took the chance. Nothing I ingested was harmful, so what did I have to lose?
We will never know why some people react better or worse to any medication, but I still believe that this is a devastating medication that should not be doled out, like candy, for simple infections. Like the black box warning states; Not a first drug of choice. I will continue to warn any one that will listen to the life changing side effects of these drugs known as floroquinolines. And I will continue to have empathy to all that have been affected. Cipro stole a part of my life, but it did not steal my soul.
I am on a new journey now; shortly after feeling better from the effects of my Cipro poisoning, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. If anyone out there had been poisoned by these drugs and also has leukemia, I would love to hear from you.
I am so sorry you have suffered. A doctor once told my husband and me that only 50% of medications work on 50% of the people. Cipro, however, saved my husband's life - along with a couple of other antibiotics after he came down with multiple infections following surgery (mostly because the staff wouldn't change gloves between patients or wash their hands).
ReplyDeleteWhat we have learned in our journey is that the human body is far more complex that medicine comprehends, especially what I call "Cookie-Cutter Medicine". We have been blessed by a couple of really good doctors who think outside of the box.
Highly recommend www.coem.com - especially their patient education section. Rebuilding your immune system is a methodical, intentional challenge. Dr. Lieberman has helped my husband so much. Dr. L treats people from all over the US and world. I could give you my name and say tell them - I'd get some off of our bill - but it's more important that you do for yourself knowing no one will profit but you. (Mention our circumstances though, and Dr. L would probably remember us! - My husband is allergic to corn and only began to get better when we switched from Dextrose to Saline in his IV's. "But the corn's been denatured!" Not enough for HIM!).
Our local doctor (here in Cent. FL) was trained in Russia, so he's not brainwashed in US medicine. Sometimes we have forgone antibiotics and waited things out because my husband has become so resistant. We found Olive Leaf Extract cured his UTI's - even of the super bugs. You can get it at Wal-Mart and it's from the Olive tree, a very powerful natural antibiotic. We've used supplements such as Alpha Lipoic Acid and CoQ10 which restored my husband's kidneys following kidney failure due to a reaction to Imipenem (an IV antibiotic). The nephrologist told us his kidneys would never improve... surpised when he had to release my husband from his care because - Voila - kidneys are back to normal!
That you are "special" or different isn't surprising - that medicine keeps trying to put all of us in the same mold is.
I pray that you will continue to improve and return to normal - normal for YOU! May God grant His wisdom to you and your medical team. It is through Him that we've survived and continue in victories over our challenges.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. Be well and may you be dancing without pain or any other affects soon and the rest of your life!
Well, thank you for your wonderful, inspiring post! I agree with you 100% and am so grateful for the progress that I have made. I am certain that Cipro is a miracle for some, it is just that they should prescribe as such; Not a drug of first choice!
ReplyDeleteI am currently battling the:Cookie-Cutter" medicine with my newly diagnosed leukemia.
http://cmlleukemia.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-first-blood-draw-after-four-days-on.html
It can be really frustrating.
Sounds as though your husband has been through a lot. Hope He is well. I am certain that you both have gained quite an education throughout his illness.
I actually went to high school in Deland, Fla!
Thanks for stopping by,
Michele