I have followed holistic health coach, advocate, and blogger Alison Vickery for a while. Her site, http://alisonvickery.com.au/ has an immense amount of information about “mysterious” chronic illnesses, and it has particularly interesting and insightful information about histamine intolerance.

Many “floxed” people suffer from histamine intolerance, and/or their symptoms of fluoroquinolone toxicity overlap significantly with the symptoms of histamine intolerance and mast cell activation. Sites such as Alison’s have a wealth of information and resources for those suffering from histamine intolerance and mast cell activation – whether those were brought on by fluoroquinolones or another cause. Many pharmaceuticals, including fluoroquinolones, can trigger histamine intolerance, and the post, “Medicines That Cause Histamine Intolerance” goes over them. I suggest that all of my floxie friends (if you are reading this, I consider you to be a floxie friend) check out alisonvickery.com.au, and that you look into histamine and mast cell activation as they relate to fluoroquinolone toxicity. The post on this site, “Can Fluoroquinolones Activate Mast Cells?” gives some information on the connections between fluoroquinolone toxicity and histamine intolerance and mast cell activation.

Obviously, I think highly of Alison’s work. However, her work on histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are not the main point of this post. The point of this post is to ask for your help with some patient advocacy efforts that Alison is involved in. Alison is currently petitioning/lobbying the Australian government to change how they warn people about dangerous pharmaceuticals. In order to get them to recognize the severity of adverse reactions, and to show that there is support for changing the way that adverse-effects of pharmaceuticals are communicated, she has asked that people who have been hurt by pharmaceuticals complete a survey. This note from Alison explains what she is seeking:

“I am working to lobby the Australian Government on changes and also unite consumer voices to increase the volume. I am wondering if you would share a survey with your followers on boxed warnings. In Australia they are seeking consumer submissions on boxed warnings and also within one month there is going to be a working group on antibiotics. I have been asked to be a consumer representative. At the moment I have virtually no people responding about being floxed. I would also like consumer stories (anonymous to share). They don’t have to be Australian to participate. Is that something you would feel comfortable doing? You’re welcome to ask me any more questions.”

The survey link is – https://www.safemedicines.com.au/boxed_warnings

It is a short survey–it only took me a few minutes to complete. The survey also gives you a chance to tell your story. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and have your voice be heard. As Alison noted, you don’t need to be Australian to participate.

Alison also stated, “I have come to the conclusion (after getting an inquiry up) that they (the Australian government / regulators) don’t need more information, they are just not scared enough of us yet. The only way is for us to join together. I have no agenda other than to stop people getting hurt. Also if we can get this up in Australia it sets a precedent for others to run with. Any help or support you can give would be awesome.”

And any support that you (floxie friend reading this) can give will be awesome. Thank you in advance those of you who take the time to complete this survey!

The site that the survey is on, https://www.safemedicines.com.au/ Australian’s for Safe Medicines, is also a wonderful site with a great mission. The “Meet Us” page states:

We are a consumer-led association of individuals.

 

We are not for medicines

We are not against them

We are for safe medicines.

 

We seek to empower you, the consumer to;

 

Make informed decisions on medicines

Voice your concerns about medicine safety (including unsafe prescribing practices and your need for new medicines)

Voice your support for any stakeholder striving to make a real difference to medicine safety, and

Disrupt any and all stakeholders that allow unsafe medicine practices to flourish.

 

Do you take

Have you taken or

Are you considering taking medicine?

Will you stand with us for safe medicines?

#mylifematters

 

Indeed, #mylifematters. So does yours. Your voice matters too, and telling your story through surveys such as this one, is immensely helpful. Thank you for your help!