Lessons learned from treating an infection while traveling abroad
I now understand the importance of sharing my full health history with doctors
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.
Last month I traveled to Europe for vacation with my partner. We spent three days with our friends in London, sipping afternoon tea, spending time in Richmond Park, and chatting late into the evening. I was thankful that my spine and joints were cooperating and that I was able to go for walks with our friends and their two dogs, explore London neighborhoods, and sit for several hours — things I don’t take for granted as someone living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Our next stop was Mallorca, Spain. We were staying at a bed-and-breakfast in a town called Sóller, known for its orange groves. Soon after we’d arrived, however, I noticed that I was having to use the bathroom every few minutes and felt a dull pressure in my abdomen.
I suspected I might have a urinary tract infection, a common illness where bacteria gets into the bladder. Because I take a biologic medication to manage my arthritis, I know that I’m more susceptible to infections and that my body has a harder time fighting them.
That evening I chugged water, trying to flush the infection out of my system. In the middle of the night, I woke up with fever, chills, and even more pain around my pelvis. In the morning, I sat in front of a spread of croissants, fresh fruits, and Spanish cheeses and felt the urge to vomit.
I quickly Googled my symptoms and found the best treatment for a urinary tract infection was antibiotics. I signed up for a telehealth appointment with a Spanish doctor who prescribed me medicine. During the call, the doctor asked me if I had allergies, but we didn’t discuss my health history or any medications I was on.
At dinner that evening, I pushed bits of paella around my plate, shivering from the chills and barely able to eat. That night I swallowed the gray pill I’d been prescribed, hopeful that I’d feel better when I woke up.
A turn for the worse
The next day, the pain in my lower abdomen had worsened, the nausea had increased, and I was spiking a fever more regularly. Maybe the medicine needed more days to work, I thought. I cautioned myself to give the antibiotic more time.
By Saturday, I felt physically weak, like I needed to sleep for hours. I also had blood in my urine and my back was hurting, but not in a way that’s typical with AS.
I messaged the doctor, who said we needed to switch antibiotics and prescribed me a new medication called ciprofloxacin. When I searched the medication online, I saw a brief mention of a rare potential for tendon ruptures, particularly in older patients, but figured that was unlikely. I’d heard the same thing about cortisone injections and had had my share of those, without any issues, to help manage AS.
I have a history of getting anxious about taking medications, but I knew I needed something to fight the infection quickly to prevent it from worsening. If the doctor prescribed it, I thought, it should help me.
Several hours after taking the ciprofloxacin, the muscles in my legs started to twitch and the arches of my feet ached terribly. Terrified, I searched “cipro side effects” and saw that this type of medication — fluoroquinolones — generally isn’t recommended for people with conditions affecting the tendons, as it can increase the risk of tendonitis and joint pain. Because AS can cause inflammation where the tendons attach to the bones, I messaged the doctor, who prescribed me a third antibiotic.
Fortunately, soon after taking the third medication, the symptoms of my infection started to subside. While it appeared the infection was on the mend, the effects of the ciprofloxacin sent me into a full AS flare, causing pain in my back, knees, hands, and feet that I’m still feeling as I write this column.
While not all people with AS will experience the same side effects from fluoroquinolones, I did. From this experience, I’ve learned that it’s imperative to share my full health history with doctors — even if they don’t ask. Also, it’s important to ask doctors and pharmacists about possible side effects of medications. Lastly, I’ll talk with my regular doctor about bringing antibiotics that work for me on future trips, just in case I need them.
Note: Ankylosing Spondylitis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ankylosing Spondylitis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ankylosing spondylitis.
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Comments
Emily
A valuable lesson learned in self-advocacy regardless of the situation… unfortunately we cannot rely on doctors to get it right every time, especially when we look young and “healthy”. Glad you are on the mend.