Pelvic Mesh Treatments - Russian Roulette

Mesh Medical Device News Desk, June 10, 2019 ~ Writer, mesh-injured activist, and author,  Nancy Gretzinger  contributes this story about her experience not only with pelvic mesh but the "treatment" that everyone should be aware of (PS- her doctor wasn't).

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By Nancy Gretzinger

We’ve all seen movies with the gun and some bullets. In fact, Clint Eastwood in the movie, Dirty Harry, made the line “Do you feel lucky, punk” infamous. For many of us that have taken drugs and/or had medical implants never felt that we may or may not be lucky. I was unfortunate on both counts. Both medical mesh and Cipro are unpredictable and indiscriminate in who it may affect. Some are lucky; some are not.

Cipro as a Treatment and the Black Box Warning

While I was having repairs of medical mesh, I would receive Cipro before during and after multiple surgeries, along with different related infections. Because of the unfortunate placement and damage of mesh, surgeries and Cipro, I started conducting massive research and came across a “black box” for Cipro. I asked my surgeon if he was aware of that and he said, “No.”

FDA added the first “black box” warning label to fluoroquinolone antibiotics in July 2008. The US Food and Drug Administration had told manufacturers of fluoroquinolones to warn doctors and patients of the raised risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. The “black box” warning, the most stringent, must be added to drug labels and prescribing information. In addition, manufacturers must also develop a treatment guide for patients.[1]
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Cipro Background - A History of Warnings

FDA approved fluoroquinolones in October 1987 including levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ciprofloxacin extended-release tablets, moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin, gemifloxacin (Factive) and delafloxacin (Baxdela) for treatment of serious bacterial infections.[2] Some contribute the massive doses given to Gulf War solders in 1999 before going overseas may have contributed to the Gulf War illness.[3] In 2001, Cipro was used to treat the Anthrax scare.[4] And in 2014, Cipro was used to treat Ebola.[5]

Continued warnings continued to be issued.

In February 2011, myasthenia gravis was added to the Boxed Warning. In August 2013, updates were required to the labeling to describe the potential for irreversible peripheral neuropathy (serious nerve damage). In 2016, the FDA added significant warnings about disabling and potentially permanent side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system. July 2018 yet more warnings were added. Mental health disturbances including attention, disorientation, agitation, nervousness, memory impairment and delirium, along with the potential risk of hypoglycemic coma with hypoglycemia.[6]

“The use of fluoroquinolones has a place in the treatment of serious bacterial infections — such as certain types of bacterial pneumonia — where the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks, and they should remain available as a therapeutic option. The FDA remains committed to keeping the risk information about these products current and comprehensive to ensure that health care providers and patients consider the risks and benefits of fluoroquinolones and make an informed decision about their use,” said Edward Cox, M.D., director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.[7
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What Doctors Don't Know - Become an Informed Consumer!

It would appear doctors are not aware of many of the warnings and I believe most of the patients are not told either before being prescribed. I asked several friends who had been prescribed Cipro if the doctor had mentioned any side effects and the answer was no. When they requested the doctor recommend something different, the doctor did.

I would also add the pharmacist does not go into detail either. I talked to my pharmacist and he was not aware of the latest warning. He said he would not spoon feed his clients and expected them to read the provided information.

In 2017, the FDA studied almost 5,000 people who had taken Cipro. The effects were noted after one month and up to ten years later! [8]

For additional information, including a full chapter on Cipro, a copy of the original “black box” and the complete 2017 FDA study, order my book, “ENMESHED – The Truth about Treating Incontinence and Mesh Complications” on Amazon (here).

Do you feel lucky? Read all the info with any pharmaceutical drug. There are Fluoroquinolones websites available for information and support. Research any medical implants and be informed when you need to make decisions.

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LEARN MORE:

1] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-updates-warnings-fluoroquinolone-antibiotics-risks-mental-health-and-low-blood-sugar-adverse

[2] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2009/019857s051ltr.pdf

[3] https://www.hillandpatoon.com/cipro-gulf-war-syndrome/

[4] http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/bioter/ciprodownside.html

[5] https://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/05/10/post-ebola-syndrome -emerges-in-west-africa-links-to-bayer-explored/

[6] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-updates-warnings-fluoroquinolone-antibiotics-risks-mental-health-and-low-blood-sugar-adverse

[7] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-updates-warnings-fluoroquinolone-antibiotics-risks-mental-health-and-low-blood-sugar-adverse

[8] http://www.ehealthme.com/drug/cipro/side-effects/#print