[hopeful]

Hi all,
I went to the search engine today and posted on there about this but I'm not sure if it will show up here.

I was diagnosed with SFN in 2008. My symptoms started in July of 2008.
Out of curiosity I recently requested to read my chart at my GP's office.
I wanted to see if I had a bacterial or viral infection around that time that may have caused my SFN.

I had a few pages out of my chart copied while I was there and brought them home.

Well as I read I saw I had sinusitis and saw the doctor on July 1, 2008. I was give avelox 400mg for ten days. This is at the same time all my symptoms started. I was away over the week of 4th of July that year and started to have a weird sensation in my feet and legs. Within two weeks it was really painful. I looked up avelox and it turns out it is a flouroquinolone.

Sorry for the long winded story but I think I might have just found what caused my neuropathy. What do you think? If so is there any treatment I should be looking into? :confused

[Marlene]

Check the sub-forum at the top on "tips". There's a thread on medication and MrsD posted info on that class of antibiotics. I would look further but I just got back from the eye doctor and my eyes are too dilated to read too much.

[en bloc]

Seems like your theory is valid.

However, that was 6 years ago...I was under the impression that toxic neuropathies do eventually resolve over time, and it's been 6 years. Maybe MrsD has more input on specific things that you need to do for toxic PN.

[hopeful]

Originally Posted by en bloc

Seems like your theory is valid.

However, that was 6 years ago...I was under the impression that toxic neuropathies do eventually resolve over time, and it's been 6 years. Maybe MrsD has more input on specific things that you need to do for toxic PN.

I did more research. The warning says it can be permanent damage. This makes me really sad. For the past 6 years I was on a search for what caused this. I had hope that if I found the cause it could be cured.

[Sallysblooms]

Yes, damage to the mitochondria. That is why I always write about that, so important for the mitochondria to be supported for the nerves.

[hopeful]

Originally Posted by Sallysblooms

Yes, damage to the mitochondria. That is why I always write about that, so important for the mitochondria to be supported for the nerves.

Thanks I think I am still in shock. I went for a sinus infection and ended up with something much worse!

[en bloc]

Hopeful,

It will take time for this to sink in.

It appears you may have your 'answer' that you have search for so long. No, it's not a good answer, but it's still an answer. You will go through several stages of shock, anger, hurt, fear, etc.

There may not be anything to reverse the damage, but that doesn't mean you can't find a treatment to help ease your pain and discomfort. YOu may even find something to help repair the damage...you never know!! Everyone is different and therefore treatment vary for each person and what works for them. You WILL find something to help you, this I am sure.

The most important thing is to focus on what you have, not what you've lost. You will improvise, adapt, and overcome. You can focus your searches on relieving your symptoms and improving your quality of life. There is lots of good info on this board about various supplements and treatments. There will likely not be ONE thing that is your magic potion, but more likely a combination of various things to help.

I hope you keep us posted on how you're feeling and what you found helpful...so others in the same situation can learn from you.

[Marlene]

Hopeful,

John's PN was most likely caused by the antibiotics he was on back in 2002. I'm sure there were other contributing factors too. We were told if it didn't clear in 12 months, then it probably wouldn't. Then we were told by another doc 18 months. Well none of that held true. He continued to have healing well beyond that. We did a lot of things to help heal the nerves and his body. In the beginning his pain level was at a 9 or 10. Now, if he had to rate it, he would probably say it's a 1 to 1.5. So don't give up. Focus on improving your overall health and look at the nutrients like R-lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine as well as the the b vitamins. Anything that supports your mitochondria would be helpful too.

Early on, he got a lot of relief using the Rebuilder. His feet will still swell and burn when it's hot out. And they are sensitive to touch. But he does not have the constant pain anymore. Much of the numbness resolved too. In the beginning, he had no reflexes when the doc tapped under the knee. That resolved too.

[hopeful]

Thanks for all of your answers. I do see a psychologist that works with pain patients. I saw her yesterday. She said I'm sad because I'm grieving. I don't know why but I have held on to hope for 6 years that this would one day be cured and I could get my old life back. I know it's silly that I didn't want to face the truth. Hey, I believe in miracles!

Now I need to face that SFN is probably here to stay. It's ok I will come around.

In answer to some of your suggestions about the supplements, I do take several of them. Just started b12 again, taking r lipoid acid, krill oil, and coq10.

My pain level varies from day to day. My muscle weakness in pretty bad according to my neuro. I have started walking everyday to build strength. Funny, I don't have much trouble walking on flat ground.

We'll thanks for listening!

[Marlene]

In case you're interested, John takes this formula for mitochondria support. He found it really helped his stamina and strength. Before, he could not sweep the front sidewalk without stopping multiple time to rest. He noticed gradually, that his stamina improved with this. He can now sweep the sidewalk without stopping.

Something to consider.

http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Suppleme...FeRj7AodmUkAzQ