From Fit and Active to Needing 247 Care The Unexpected Consequence of Antibiotics for a UTI
Talia Smith, once a fit and healthy woman, became wheelchair-bound after taking the antibiotic Cipro, which caused severe side effects, including tendon ruptures and nerve damage. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Talia shares her heartbreaking journey of enduring health complications, emphasizing the importance of questioning medical prescriptions and understanding the risks of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Despite the struggles, she remains determined to raise awareness and help others avoid similar experiences.

At 44, Talia Smith was a fit, healthy, and active woman who worked out daily. Now, she is wheelchair-bound and receiving care in a hospice, requiring 24-hour assistance to survive. Her life took a tragic and unexpected turn after she visited her doctor for a urinary tract infection and was prescribed what she thought were routine antibiotics.
The doctor gave me Cipro, she recalls. I asked if there was anything I needed to know. They assured me it was safe and effective. Three pills later, my life was turned upside down. Ciprofloxacin, commonly known as Cipro, is part of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics.
Due to the risk of severe side effects, these antibiotics are now only prescribed in the UK when no other option is appropriate. However, Talia was unaware of the potential dangers the drug posed.
I couldn't walk, my entire body ached, my vision changed, and I had difficulty swallowing, Talia says. Alarmed, she sought medical help at the hospital. The doctor asked me, 'Were you taking Cipro?' I said yes.
Cipro carries risks such as tendon ruptures, nerve damage, and muscle wasting. What happened to me felt like a bomb going off in my body, says Talia. And all from a drug I was told was perfectly safe.
Talia's health deteriorated rapidly after taking the medication in April 2021. I started experiencing tremors, unbearable nerve pain, and stiffness that left me immobile. Within five months, I was in hospice care, she explains. At her lowest point, she weighed just 4st 2lb and required round-the-clock care.
I couldn't lift my arms, couldn't feed myself, and had to blend all my meals into puree, she adds. Her condition left her unable to care for her disabled veteran husband, Tim, who also relies on a wheelchair.
It's devastating, Talia says. I was the caregiver in our relationship, and now I need someone to care for me." Determined to turn her suffering into a force for good, Talia took to TikTok to raise awareness. I want people to know the risks, she says.
If a doctor prescribes you something, don’t just accept it without question. Double-check, triple-check, and always ask questions. Your health is too important to leave to chance. What happened to me could happen to anyone.
Talia now suffers from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a condition triggered by fluoroquinolone toxicity. MCAS is a beast, she says. I can only tolerate six foods, and I have to microdose any new ones to avoid severe reactions. One day I can eat something, and the next, it could cause a reaction. It’s completely unpredictable.
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.
To manage her condition, Talia relies on Cromolyn Sodium concentrate. This little bottle has saved my life, she says. I have to take it with every meal just to function.
Despite the challenges, Talia remains resolute in her determination to make a difference. Living with MCAS is exhausting and isolating, but I keep going, she says. Every day is a fight, but I’m not giving up. Make sure you truly need an antibiotic before taking one, and if you’re prescribed a fluoroquinolone, ask for an alternative.
This journey has been the hardest of my life, but if my story can help even one person, it’s all been worth it.
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