Woman’s Five-Month Headache Linked to Common Antibiotic, Leaving Her in Chronic Pain
Leeds, UK – A woman from Leeds endured five months of debilitating headaches and suicidal thoughts after suffering an adverse reaction to a commonly prescribed antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. Victoria, whose last name has not been released, spent £6,000 on private medical appointments before finally receiving a diagnosis and is now speaking out to warn others about the potential risks of the drug.
The ordeal began with what Victoria initially believed was a severe migraine, quickly escalating into relentless pain that left her unable to function. Repeated visits to A&E resulted in diagnoses of anxiety and stress, delaying the identification of the true cause. “I thought I was either going to die or I wanted to die. I just couldn’t deal with the pain anymore. It was absolutely unbearable. I was in so much pain I spent days just crying, it was horrific,” she said.
Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is often prescribed for urinary tract infections and other bacterial infections. However, it carries a risk of serious side effects, including nerve damage, tendon problems, and, as in Victoria’s case, prolonged and debilitating headaches. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued warnings about these risks, advising that ciprofloxacin should only be used when other antibiotics are unsuitable.
It wasn’t until Victoria’s seventh trip to the emergency room, and a question about her recent medications, that the connection to ciprofloxacin was made. She is now left with chronic pain and is urging healthcare professionals to exercise greater caution when prescribing the antibiotic. “There is no cure for this, it’s just whether your body can recover. If I’d have known,I’d have never taken it. It shouldn’t be given out as a first-line antibiotic. It should be that they’ve tried everything else,” Victoria stated.
Despite her ongoing struggles, Victoria acknowledges progress in her recovery. “Looking back to where I was to where I am now, I’ve come a long way. Life is hard still but better than when it was,” she said, hoping her experience will prevent others from suffering a similar fate. She feels “let down” by the healthcare system and believes the drug carries a risk “not worth the long-term damage.”
