One of the things I deal with is chronic illness…and I had planned to “out” myself at some point, but this is just too important not to share with others who are in similar circumstances. I have Familial Mediterranean Fever as well as other diseases for which I take daily medicines. I use colchicine on a daily basis for flare relief for FMF. Because I’m acutely aware of interactions with medications and my personal proclivity to allergies, I normally investigate any medicine I am prescribed. In addition I go to the same pharmacy where they are familiar with my reactions and history.
So earlier this month my sis had a double mastectomy and I came to Durango, CO to help her through that rehabilitation. A few days after arriving I became ill, but frankly we thought it was allergies since I’m allergic to pine and well, it’s everywhere here, and blooming! After a few days of getting sicker, I was very concerned that I was getting a bronchial infection and thus might cause her to get it…so I called my doc. He was out of town but the on-call prescribed Biaxin for me. Through a bunch of missteps I did not research the med, nor did the local pharmacy here have any idea I took colchicine.
The very next day I was very weak, and with the next few days I became weaker as well as becoming nauseated. Since most antibiotics cause nausea we really didn’t think much of it. I couldn’t wait to get the script done so I could feel better. After a couple days went by and I wasn’t better once ceasing the antibiotic, I called my doctor’s office back. My doctor immediately suspected an interaction as well as altitude sickness. I immediately ceased taking any colchicine, increased water intake, rested and over the course of the past week I’m better…but not completely back to my normal yet. I will see my physician when I return home next week, but continue to be in close contact.
I know this seems lengthy, but once I researched the interaction issues I soon found that I could have died from this combination. It is not funny at that point. If only one person reads this, is cautioned and never experiences this type of problem it will be worth it to me.
RESEARCH all meds you take for any illness it may be prescribed….include other-the-counter medications with that caution. I have found three important articles for the particular interaction of biaxin and colchicine and they are here, here and here. If you regularly take colchicine for any reason be sure to read them. If you don’t know the signs of toxicity for colchicine, have a look here.
Please do not ever be lax…one time almost cost me more than I wanted to pay!
