‘I ended up in a wheelchair after taking three pills for a common condition’

On January 19, 2025By Littum

Talia found her life in shambles after what she thought was just a doctor’s visit for a urinary tract infection. She was prescribed routine antibiotics, but the drug, Ciprofloxacin, known as Cipro – an antibiotic in the high-risk fluoroquinolone class – had debilitating consequences.

“The doctor gave me Cipro,” Talia, from Norwood, Massachusetts says, “I asked if there was anything I needed to know. They told me it was safe and effective. Three pills later, my life was turned upside down.”

While this medication can only be prescribed under strict conditions in Great Britain and comes with seven black box warnings from the US FDA, Talia was unaware of any risks. After medication, she had immobilizing side effects.

“I couldn’t walk, my whole body hurt, my vision changed and I had trouble swallowing,” she reveals, recalling how she rushed to the emergency room in desperation.

“The doctor asked me, ‘Did you take Cipro?’ I said yes and that’s when he told me about the black box warning. I was shocked – never heard of a black box warning before.”, reports the mirror .

Talia shared. Since 2008, the FDA has warned about fluoroquinolones, pointing out risks such as tendon ruptures, nerve damage and muscle wasting.

The FDA also recommends that because of their permanent and debilitating side effects, fluoroquinolone antibiotics should be reserved for situations where no other treatment options exist. Talia claims her doctor never warned her of these potential dangers.

“What happened to me felt like a bomb going off in my body,” she says. “And everything from a drug I was told was absolutely safe.”

Talia’s health quickly took a turn for the worse after taking the drugs in April 2021.

“I started experiencing tremors, excruciating nerve pain and stiffness that left me unable to move. Within five months I was in hospice,” she recalls. At her most critical point, Talia weighed just 4.2 pounds and required around-the-clock care.

“I couldn’t lift my arms, couldn’t feed myself and had to puree all my meals,” she reveals. Her condition left her unable to care for her disabled veteran husband, Tim, who is also wheelchair bound.

“It’s devastating,” Talia admits. “I was the caregiver in our relationship and now I need someone to take care of me.”

Determined to turn her ordeal into a force for good, Talia turned to TikTok, where her account has amassed over 1.4 million likes.

Her raw, unfiltered post chronicles her journey and serves as a warning to others.

A survivor of a harrowing encounter with antibiotic side effects has taken it upon herself to raise the alarm. “I want people to know the risks,” she urges.

“If a doctor prescribes you something, don’t accept it blindly. Double check, triple check and ask questions. Your health is too important to leave to chance. “What happened to me could happen to anyone. Her commitment to helping others extends beyond the realms of TikTok. In a groundbreaking achievement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now recognized “fluoroquinolone adverse effects,” also known as “floxing,” a condition caused by fluoroquinolone- toxicity – as a reportable medical condition “This is like landing on the moon,” exclaimed Dr. Stephen Pieper, a German physician who has treated over 2,000 patients and worked closely with Talia and the project team (Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study Foundation and patient advocate, Audrey Reynolds With new diagnostic codes scheduled to be implemented in October 2025, health care professionals will be able to officially record cases of floxing, which will open doors for insurance reimbursements, disability claims, and a deeper medical “When the news came out, people were crying, calling and texting me,” Talia revealed they never thought this day would come.

“While this recognition is significant progress, Talia and her colleagues are not resting on their laurels; they are advocating for the recognition of the long-term effects of floxing within the diagnostic guidelines. Talia’s struggles did not end with floxing; she is now fighting Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a disorder instigated by fluoroquinolone toxicity “MCAS is a beast,” she admits “I can only tolerate six foods and I have to microdose all new ones to avoid severe reactions. One day I can eat something and the next day it can cause a reaction.

It is completely unpredictable. ” Her breakfast routine underscores the daily challenges she faces due to MCAS. Talia’s everyday routine revolves around managing her food sensitivities. “It’s oatmeal every morning, fortified with Camu Camu for vitamin C, because I can’t tolerate regular vitamin C.

Even introducing cherries has to be done drop by drop,” she reveals. Despite the obstacles, Talia’s determination is unwavering. “Living with MCAS is exhausting and isolating, but I keep going,” she insists. “Every day is a struggle, but I don’t give up. “Her experience serves as a stark warning against antibiotic overuse and underscores the need for patient awareness. “Make sure you really need an antibiotic before you take one,” she advises. She also warns those prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotics to Seek alternatives. Committed to her advocacy, Talia celebrates the establishment of new CDC codes as a significant milestone. “We have achieved something that will change lives forever,” she states proudly acknowledges that there is still much to do: “But there is still more work to be done and we are not stopping here.

“For her, every achievement, whether it’s tolerating a new food or gaining recognition for problems with floxing, reflects her perseverance. “This journey has been the hardest of my life,” she admits. “But if my story can help even one person, it has all been worth it. “.