There is a reason for the Japanese point of view.

Over 30 yrs ago a commonly used drug (Vioform) was discovered to be very neurotoxic. It remained on the shelves in Japan longer than here. It was about the early 70's when it was withdrawn in US. I recall this vividly because my MIL used it for traveler's diarrhea.

The damage that Vioform (now called clioquinol) caused was death, disability and blindness, because this drug depletes B12.
You can read more here: The disorder was called SMON.
http://books.google.com/books?id=JP8...opathy&f=false

It remains controversial still, but I do think the drug caused most of the damage.

Japan has since been using more creative solutions, as a result for many things. The studies using extremely high doses of B12 for MS, came from Japan.

In this country, Big Pharma controls the drug industry. This began in earnest in the early 90's. Zantac and Prozac were the major blockbusters, back then making millions a day for Big Pharma and now the emphasis in this country has shifted to the mega bucks (and "me-too" duplications of similar products). Eli Lilly which had a huge list of drugs it sold for decades...called ethical proprietaries, cut out the whole line back then.(seeing the writing on the wall with the FDA requiring new drug applications more and more for older products). But I recall them well.

Very interesting Mrs.D. You always have the best info. I had never read that.

Are you thinking that maybe alot of these neuro diseaese/disorders stem from similar pharms as well like Prevacid and Cipro?

One deduction I have made from these "situations" is that if you keep people ignorant, you ensure your market and can keep (slow-bleed) your customers.

Yes, I do think your drugs may have contributed. I am going to make the next post on the SubForum, for fluoroquinolone antibiotics.. probably this week or weekend.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread122889.html
That thread will also have Statins for lowering cholesterol.
But the subject is so large, I've been reviewing my links for the fluoroquinolone post that will be coming soon.

Long term Prevacid may block B12 absorption like other acid lowering drugs. The Cipro is more neurotoxic...and affects the nerves in a different way.

The subject "fluoroquinolone" or "Cipro" or "Levaquin" as search keywords here will bring up many many posts! So take a look that way too.

Yeah I was also on Levaquin for 30 days 2.5 years ago. I had a spyder bite 4 years ago that they put me on Cipro for.

And, it is truly sad that most here have NOT memorized the bad s/e's possible on their meds lists! It's hard work to take meds and supplements so they don't cancel each other out..... one this hour? Another the next? It can become for many an all DAY EXPERIENCE! Now, I take only WHAT I NEED! No more? No less.
As for anti-biotics? They do have their place and their time.. the problem is that so many practicing docs aren't keeping up to date about the s/e's that can happen from long term anti-b's. I'm definitely a victim of this, I believe, but there's no 'clinical proof' of the cause/effect aspects. Ergo I'm a sunk boat from that perspective. BUT IT DID cause things to 'happen' to me causing a big downhill neuropathy spiral down almost thru the drain.
Being 'treated for one thing'? Can help that one thing, but it could create havoc on the rest of your systems! We are NOT automobiles, we are very complex animals with inter-relations among our various systems that are truly marvelous and amazing. But mess up one? You get problems. We w/neuropathies have had our 'systems' thrown out of sync. Thus we must be super careful about anything we eat, drink, take in, etc. to the point of almost being paralysed at times about what to do!
There are many here with a huge pool of knowledge! About their experiences and about how they've dealt with them! USE and read this knowledge and get smarter!
I also agree w/Mrs D about BEING YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! Actually, YOU are a star! Not so 'n so! YOU've gone thru more, pain and loss and the like! And, you can become a star for your area by talking to your area, state and national representatives about who you are and why you're there and why you care!

BTW? The neuropathy group you mentioned is NOT qualified as stellar in the various 'giving' evaluations. They don't post their annual reports nor do they distribute them. Take a look at the board? Then watch it...it never changes. I used to evaluate non-profits? A non-changing board, means a non-evolving organiztion. Enuf said.

REMEMBER: WE ARE THE STARS! And we deserve to be! - j

I also agree w/Mrs D about BEING YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! Actually, YOU are a star! Not so 'n so! YOU've gone thru more, pain and loss and the like! And, you can become a star for your area by talking to your area, state and national representatives about who you are and why you're there and why you care!

BTW? The neuropathy group you mentioned is NOT qualified as stellar in the various 'giving' evaluations. They don't post their annual reports nor do they distribute them. Take a look at the board? Then watch it...it never changes. I used to evaluate non-profits? A non-changing board, means a non-evolving organiztion. Enuf said.

REMEMBER: WE ARE THE STARS! And we deserve to be! - j[/QUOTE]

Dalhek,

I totally agree. This was my concern. That organization is a sham and a poor representation for people with Neuropathy. We need an organization that can't be bought by DRUG COMPANIES and that is proactive. This goes for many other diseases and disorders. Our medical establishment is running people in reverse.

Neuropathy is not the only disease whose resolution is stagnating and treatment faulty. There are many more. If one were to go to Europe and get treated, they would be in awe of what real problem-resolution medicine can do. We have symptom prolongation- medicine here in the States and it is beyond time for a change.

People are being lied to, hurt and degenerating faster and faster, just for a measly buck. I never paid it any mind until it hit me in the face. But its simple to see how its engineered really crooked and its pretty sickening. I think the best thing we can do for others besides helping them find releif is waking them up to this sobering reality. Hopefully, then they will wake others and we will have a solid foundation.

Change will not happen until people realize that the system is broken. The path toward resolution of this disease and others will not happen until we tell them its broke and ask them to fix it. Real change will occur when all members of these communities are awake and confront their doctors, congressmen and senators about this ineffective establishment. Only when people in numbers stand together and demand this change will the system will be forced to evolve and truly help.

The worst thing we could do is act alone. I think soon we all need to come together and stand as one at some point. One issue at a time, one peice at a time, until this system is forced to legitimize and act in favor of the people it was designed to.

We need a true group advocate in our corner and the Neuropathy Association may not be it Funny thing is I blindly gave them $100 when I found the site because I thought they wanted to help. I guess we can all be deceived.

Sorry for the rant but this has been building for a long time. I started this thread looking to see if others saw this problem, and this confirmed it. This forum and its contributors are awesome. I am now just thinking of other ideas and means to really take action and make this right. This issue is important!