Steroids/antibiotics/UTIs

[Lin-lou]

Having just had the most awful week, believed to be caused by reaction of antibiotics whilst taking steroids, I thought I would write a little cautionary tale as I think it has been mentioned on here before, but not sure. In early June after a sample water test at the surgery it was found I had another UTI, although no symptoms. First antibiotics didn't work, second type ended on the third day when, being a Saturday, I had to phone NHS111 as felt desperately ill. They were amazing and insisted on sending an ambulance and crew who checked me over. Wanted to take me off to hospital but couldn't leave my 95 year old husband alone (dementia, another story). The crew then sent for a colleague who sorted me out until I could get to my GP on the Monday. Duly went and was prescribed Ciprofloxacin. Bells were ringing in my head from something I'd read here but not really sure what and put my faith in the fact that my GP knows the meds I'm on so it must be ok, and only for five days! On the fourth day (Thursday)I felt pains between my calves and ankles, so rang GP to check and was advised to finish the course as only one more day. Oh my goodness! That afternoon and next day, Friday, I began to suspect I had developed tendonitis. I thought I had knives in the backs of my legs, the pains were excruciating when I tried to walk, though thankfully not when sitting or lying. I could barely shuffle using a walking frame and had to move with a sort of sideways slide like a crab! I've since called for a GP home visit but won't go into that here, suffice to say no help at all. It is now the sixth day since finishing the course of antibiotics and glad to say much less pain now and shuffling, housebound, with a stick, even if very slowly. I only hope when I take my next sample the UTI has cleared after all this! I was also extremely worried about a PMR flare but praise be, my magic 9 mg daily has so far kept that under control. I don't think I could have dealt with anything else and was already "on the edge" being so immobile, etc.

To repeat my words of caution, the final antibiotic I was given was a good commonly used one, called Ciprofloxacin, a type of quinolone, but which I believe should not be taken when already taking steroids for some length of time. I think that is correct, but our lovely experts would be more able to confirm this.

Thank you for reading this and I hope it will give some little pause for thought for all the many others of you who also might have need of antibiotics whilst taking steroids.

[SnazzyD]

Gosh, what a nightmare. Quinolones can cause tendinitis even without the Pred and there is plenty written about it; just try searching the internet with Quinolone tendonitis. The GP should have told you to stop with your leg symptoms because tendon rupture is a real risk. For some it takes a while to develop this but some it is very quick.

[Lin-lou in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, tendon rupture has been my big worry, so shuffling around very carefully! I think the GP was more concerned to get the UTI finally dealt with as only one day left on the antibio course! Thankfully, I can feel some improvement in my legs so hoping recovery won't take too long, nor will I be left with any long-term effects.

[Valnvaughan]

Suggest you read the thread yesterday about UTIs from Berylyn.

[Lin-lou in reply to Valnvaughan]

Thanks for the tip. Just read through and very helpful. Various notes made.

[VAl4266]

Yes I was also given ciproflaxin, for a infection. I had such an awful reaction To it I felt so very ill, really thought I was dying,didn't carry on with the treatment, they are definitely on my don't take list ever.

[Lin-lou in reply to VAl4266]

Thanks. I have big red notes in strategic places listing four antibiotics now that have resulted in a bad reaction and are definitely to be avoided!

[Linny3]

So sorry to hear of all that misery happening to you. I have had miserable reactions to most antibiotics. I refused the cipro when they wanted me to take it. Scared me really bad about the tendons. Now after hearing your story I am so glad I did.

Take Care and praying all will be better soon. Those UTI's are miserable. You have my sympathy.

[Lin-lou in reply to Linny3]

Thank you for your sympathy. Much needed at times! Glad to say am improving daily, presumably because it is a week since last Cipro and now working out of my system (just a guess!) I'm much better shuffling now, just have to be slow and careful not to lose balance or twist or put weight on one leg!! No "Knees up Mother Brown" as my sister in law said. Ha, ha!

[Jackoh]

How awful. I presume you are taking this up with your GP?

[Lin-lou in reply to Jackoh]

When I can get to the surgery, although I just feel I want an end to it and get back to as "normal" as PMR allows. I can't take much more stress, etc.

[Jackoh in reply to Lin-lou]

Yes understand x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - absolutely right and I would be back at your GP - at least, on the phone demanding a house visit for the problem they caused - to be sure they never do it to anyone again. I had 9 months on crutches and mine was nowhere near as bad as yours obviously was nor did I have a carer responsibility. That is appalling.

You really do need more than a walking stick and boots to reduce the risk of tripping an d potentially rupturing the tendons may also be called for - because when that happens, we're talking major recovery time.

And actually - there is a warning that quinolones are NOT suitable for use for UTIs. That is part of the reason for antibiotic resistance - in a UIT yu should be doing a culture and identying the organism, not using a sledgehammer broad spectrum bomb.

[Lin-lou in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for all that PMRpro. I did ask for a GP home visit and a practice doctor did come out about five days after start of leg pains. However, no help at all and most unsympathetic even seeing the "caring" position I'm in. I won't go into it all here, but will have to speak to someone at the surgery. I'm due for blood tests, BP check and water test on Wednesday this week, so think I will make a follow-up appointment with my own (new!) GP whatever the results, good or otherwise, to at least talk this through.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lin-lou]

Time for a complaint I suspect...