I'm holding onto this prescription for Flagyl. I'm just so terrified to take it being that my nerve damage is everywhere and it can cause known to cause nerve damage in people who have no nerve disease. Is nitazoxanide a safer alternative to flagyl?

according to the side effects, it said that 1000-2400mg will/may cause PN. what are you taking it for?

Hi Healthgirl

I was given IV Flagyl (Metrodiazanole) during appendix surgery in 2014 - I already had mild partial PN and after that it progressed to full-body on going pain.

Flagyl is a member of the imidazole group of antibiotics and nitazoxinide is a member of the thiazolide group of antibiotics. So far I haven't found any info on the thiazolide group causing neuropathy - maybe someone else can correct or add to this.

I did a quick search for info on nitazoxinide and came across this abstract that discusses the possibility of a novel use to actually treat diabetic neuropathic pain. There are other similar studies online but very technical. Be aware this article is recent (Aug 2015) and the science may not be fully investigated yet.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25762088

The main use of nitazoxinide seems to be for the treatment of diarrhea - if this is why you are being prescribed it, I can recommend taking a good probiotic as one way of managing it.

I was just prescribed Alinia (nitazoxanide) for a protozoa co-infection of Lyme disease called FL1953. Beware you may have a pretty big Herxheimer reaction from this drug from die-off of parasites. It will also kill other parasites such as tapeworm. If you feel bad, just back off the drug for awhile then start it back up in lower dosages.

I would take it on the chance of a parasite being the cause of the malabsorption and neurological symptoms that my kids and I are dealing with. Just thinking about it and will discuss with my neurologist at the next appointment.

Thanks Bluesfan,
I'm a bluesfan too!
I'm sorry that you had this problem with flagyl. From what I read it can be reversible. Hopefully, hopeful for you.

Thanks for that interesting link.

I am going to talk to my neuro and then go back to the gastro, because my neuro did tell me that Flagyl rarely causes neuropathy, but that I could ask for an alternative.
I am big into probiotics and they definitely help, but whatever is plaguing us doesn't seem to be tamed by my remedies.
Which probiotics do you find the most helpful?

Hi Healthgirl

Sorry to hear you still haven't found the cause of your neuropathy yet. You've been on such a tough journey trying to find out.

My neuropathy is most likely autoimmune, (secondary to Addison's Disease), so while the Flagyl brought on a severe flare up the basic cause remains. Like you I'm trying to find ways of managing the symptoms and reducing pain.

I agree the probiotics may not help directly with the pain but I take them because with Addison's I'm prone to infections and have found them helpful to prevent gastro problems.

The two probiotics I've found useful are: (Both available from i-herb)

California Gold Nutrition 'LactoBif' - (5 billion CFU - 8 strains) and:

Nutrition Now 'PB8' - (14 billion CFU - 8 strains)

I make my own 'no-added sugar' plain yogurt and started adding one capsule of the 'LactoBif' to the mix (1 litre volume), (open the capsule & add contents). The probiotics naturally multiply in the yogurt. You can taste the difference - it's slightly more sour than the standard yogurt mix (2 probiotics), but texture remains same. When the 'LactoBif' was out of stock I started using the 'PB8' but found 1 capsule made the yogurt different - thick - almost curdled with quite a sour taste. Assuming it was the higher CFU concentration, for the next batch I added only about 1/2 the contents of one capsule - problem solved.

I've definitely noticed an improvement with stomach issues since starting this (Dec 2015) - no more vague stomach pains, nausea etc. I suspect I had a hidden on-going candida issue after the antibiotics more than a year ago (despite being treated with regular meds at the time). Sometimes if I feel if there is some other issue going on I will take a capsule orally.

All the best if you decide to go ahead with the antibiotic - re your neuro telling you that Flagyl rarely causes neuropathy - given that you already have some form of neuropathy - there is a risk it will aggravate it. If you choose to go ahead and try the nitazoxinide can you please let me know how you get on - I'm trying to compile a list of safe antibiotics for the next time I have to be in hospital - any first-hand info would be appreciated.

On a similar note I don't know if you've been following a thread posted by en bloc about genetic testing for finding which meds will work for you (and which you may react to). You may find some useful info in the links she provides. Here's the link to her thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread234203.html

Thanks!
I will definitely keep posting my updates. Not doing anything drastic yet, just always exploring options.