I am new to this discussion group and would appreciate your thoughts on my recent sudden onset of Peripheral Neuropathy (PN).

I am going to put the timeline in point form so as not to write as essay:

- I have been taken a daily multivitamin for several years
- 6 months ago started talking B Complex for mild depression
- 4 months ago received vaccine for shingles which I contracted the year before. No pain or PN as a result of the initial singles outbreak
- 3 months ago depression became severe. I was put on Prozac and at the same time was diagnosed with the early stages of type 2 diabetes
- Within three to four weeks of being put on Prozac started feeling numbness and tingling in my toes. GP said it was because of the increased activity (Exercises) and my body would adapt
- Within two month and a half months of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes , I dropped 50 pounds, exercising five times a week and changed my diet dramatically with the help of a diabetic nurse
- GP very pleased with my glucose numbers. My glucose levels then and now are within acceptable ranges and I manage my diabetes with diet and exercise.
- GP was very surprised at how quickly I lost the weight and changed my diet. GP Told me that I was to aggressive on the weight loss and should have done it more gradually. Recommended I get better workout shoes and only do low impact exercises for the PN.
- Eight weeks after PN symptoms started starting Saw a neurologist and he said it was because of the diabetes.
- Talked with my GP about the correlation between the Prozac and the sudden onset of PN
- GP weened me off Prozac over four weeks. PN improved significantly. It had receded from my ankles to a couple of toes and a partial area of the balls of my feet
- GP has tried two other antidepressants from different classes since then and the PN has increased to all of my toes and the balls of my feet but not up to my ankles as before with Prozac
- My GP is stumped so he has lined up referrals over the next couple of months to see a Neurologist, Endocrinologist, Pediatrist, psychiatrist and Chiropractor)
- GP is waiting on a series of blood tests to come back within the next couple of weeks
- I have stopped all vitamin supplements
- Only performing low impact exercises now

I know it is very early in the discovery process and I am still waiting on several test results and several other doctor appointments mentioned above. However, has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance for your help

Just some thoughts but even if your glucose numbers are in the 5.6-6.4 range you can still have neuropathy. This is called the pre-diabetic range.

Also, excess vitamin B6 can cause neuropathy.

But it seems to be correlated with the antideppressants. Usually very common only during withdrawal.

Seems rare to happen when taking it but possible:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884649/

Xrox - thanks for your reply

The link to the article was very interesting. I had never heard of that before?

[QUOTE=james7;1131135]Xrox - thanks for your reply

The link to the article was very interesting. I had never heard of that before?[/QUOTE

Cymbalta/Duloxetine has helped both my depression and neuropathy.
I have idiopathic PN.. "sock and glove"
I also take gabapentin.

I also have sudden onset peripheral neuropathy, includes loss of smell.
-What were your glucose levels, did you get a urinanalysis?
-prozac seems to have a low incidence of Neuropathy, but the coincedence of the diagnosis of the diabetes, probably made you more vulnerable to PN.
Did your PN start before taking prozac?
from several accounts, PN CAUSED by diabetes takes years to accumulate, coming on so suddenly means: it can be anxiety related(temporary), autoimmune disease, drugs, infections.

How much of the vit you were taking?

[QUOTE=Coriny;1131149]Thanks Coriny

Does the Cymbalta/Duloxetine and gabapentin help with the pain or numbness associated with NP?

Thanks Neroproblem

- Glucose levels were 9
- PN started a couple of weeks after starting Prozac
- hopefully my upcoming doctor appointments will tell me more regarding autoimmune disease, drugs, infections.
- Interesting about the anxiety. Is this common and how long does the PN usually last after?
- if you don't mind me asking what was the cause of your sudden onset of PN?

Question to the group

How do you cope with NP on a day to day basis?

For example the uncertainty, long wait times to see doctors, not being able to do the same things you did before?

Safeguarding your A1c should be therapy for you. Many have no clue to what originated their Neurapathy. There are many triggers out there, sound like Prozac may have been yours. Trauma from accident was mine. To the question of coping, the old saying is "You can get used to just about anything". The sense of loss will diminish over time. You haven't lost as much as many here, some have to guard against anger. If you find yourself building anger, start checking out the handicapp spaces at Wal-Mart. you won't have to wait too long to see others who have lost more. It sounds like you have caught it early and have already proven willingness to treat your underlying cause. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

[QUOTE=james7;1131240]Everyone is different. Numbness is numbness... It remains numb. I think it helps with the depression. I am not in constant pain. Before taking these meds, I was miserable. I still have painful episodes that require an opiate. I do beginner yoga and walk on the treadmill as much as my body will allow. Try to stay motivated... that has been an ongoing issue for me.