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Posted 1/1/2016 4:28 PM (GMT -5)
This is not about me or lyme...but my MIL has just been prescribed ciprofloxacin (sp?) for her UTI and also she has an infection on her abdomen.
I'm asking you all because the fluoroquinolones are sometimes prescribed for Lyme patients...and you may have knowledge about it's black box warning of tendon rupture.
so for those of you who have knowledge....am I being over-worried about her taking it?
I'm concerned about the tendon rupture...she is 83 years old. (I also recently read that it can cause permanent nerve damage...resulting in neuropathy)
maybe it's necessary for her abdomen infection...not sure.
Posted 1/1/2016 4:33 PM (GMT -5)
I would want my daughter-in-law to be my advocate just like you Girlie! Because you have doubts in your gut says one heck of a lot! Always go with your gut instincts.

I hope I have someone like you around when I am 83. Please Lord let me have a Girlie in my corner!

Be the pushy bad guy and let Mom be the good sweet patient. That is my advice.

It won't hurt if someone gets mad at you, but you don't want anyone made at Mom.
Posted 1/1/2016 4:39 PM (GMT -5)
Aw, thank you PeteZa!

Unfortunately...I am kind of on the sidelines...as my sister-in-law does all the Dr. appointments...so I will call my SIL and tell her about it. I believe she is taking her back to the Dr. on Monday - for removal of this 'thing' on her abdomen that is infected. But I will call her today.

Also, what's unfortunate..is the Dr. doesn't like my SIL saying much in the appt. When she corrects my MIL - whose memory is sketchy at times...the Dr. ignores her...and looks directly at my MIL and listens to her only...
Yup...this one is going to be difficult....I can only try.
Posted 1/1/2016 4:52 PM (GMT -5)
Everyone needs an advocate with the medical profession. I always liken it to good cop/bad cop.

I have no problem being the bad cop. In fact my Mom and my stinker stepdad have made specific instructions for me to be their spokes person out of all 7 kids. I can be quite pushy and demanding when I fight for loved ones, even the stinker stepdad. LOL

SIL may feel threatened if you don't handle it right. Remember she wants to feel important and necessary and smart. Careful on this one. Try to say it so it becomes "her" idea.

Lots of experience with family dynamics.
Posted 1/1/2016 4:57 PM (GMT -5)
I can't top PeteZa's advice but I do wish you the best with this situation, Girlie!!
Posted 1/1/2016 11:43 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, I also hopes you can work this out. I just told my LLMD yesterday that I wouldn't take any more fluoroquinolones due to all the risks. "I've got enough problems already" is how I put it.

If there is another AB that will work, then why take the cipro?
Posted 1/2/2016 9:50 AM (GMT -5)
hey Girlie

If there would be an alternative for Ciprofloxacine, I would go for it... I read about the Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome or Floxing. And it is indeed scary information.

I had to take Ofloxacine for a few weeks to treat Yersiniosis, and I was pretty scared when I had to start taking it. Luckely, I haven't felt anything yet, and it has been over 1,5yrs.

I hope the communication will go well...

Good luck!
Posted 1/2/2016 11:36 AM (GMT -5)
that's tough. if all she had was a UTI, then bactrim would take care of it - but I am not sure about the abdominal infection - what does she have exactly?

my mother in law takes cipro every time she has a UTI and has never had a problem with it. It is hit or miss. Some people experience no side effects at all and others get debilitated beyond belief from the fluroquinolones. If there is any way around it, I would ask for an alternative!
Posted 1/2/2016 1:25 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks everyone for your input.

When she first saw the Dr. for her 'thing' on her abdomen she was put on Penicillan - my SIL noticed it when she was helping her get dressed (she fell a month ago and has a broken hand now, so needs a lot of help now) - that there was something on her upper abdomen. It looked almost like a boil. So, the Dr. put her on the Penicillin. The Pharmacist said he doesn't see many Dr,'s prescribing that anymore. (The Dr. she saw was filling in...and I think he's in his 70's)
He also said if it doesn't get better, he will have to 'cut it out'.

So, then she had a UTI - and my SIL took her in for that...and he changed her antibiotic to the Cipro.
She has an appt. on Sunday to get this thing on her abdomen 'cut out'. I asked my SIL - what was it exactly...and she said he didn't tell her.
I can only 'push' so much...as my SIL is with her a lot...taking care of her.
But, I did call her and told her that she could ask the Dr...and say that her SIL was concerned about the black box warning on the Cipro. And is there a different medication she could take.

Unfortunately it's been one thing after another lately with my MIL. Now, she's having trouble taking her medications...we're going to need to get her extra help...as it's 45 minutes each way for us...and the same for my SIL to see her. She's just not close enough geographically for us to take it on daily.
Posted 1/2/2016 1:50 PM (GMT -5)
I think that is so wise if you all can afford help for her.

I watched my Mom take care of my great grandmother and in doing the day to day "chores" my Mom would get angry. Mom finally hired help and then Mom was so happy and so was grandma. Mom would loving put lotion on grandma and do her hair and all sorts of things but all done in love.

I learned a lot watching this all and I was a Tween then.
Posted 1/2/2016 2:00 PM (GMT -5)
What you said PeteZa makes sense...as my MIL is often angry at my SIL because she has to do so much in the way of regular care that it has changed the relationship. My MIL is now getting quite demanding of my SIL..and angry at her a lot.
I have offered to spell her off...but my MIL only wants my SIL...it involves getting her undressed for her bath/shower...and helping her in and out...as well as dressing her...so I can understand.
My MIL and I have a very good relationship...and my husband and I help her out, but not with the personal care.

So, we're now looking into a more reasonably priced facility. She is in Berwick (don't know if they're in the U.S.) and it's expensive...so now that we will be looking at adding in some daily care to make sure she takes her meds...it's going to be too expensive.

We are hoping that her cast will come off on Sunday and stay off...the Dr. mentioned it may not be healed...

It just seems things are rapidly declining with her health this past year...one thing after another...so sad. We're not ready for it...She is my hubby and my last living parent. I hope she heals...and is back on 'her feet' again.
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