[jonplumb]

Laxseed I was given a prescription of cipro for prostatitis on September6. The doctor mentioned the tendon problems, but made no mention of risk for peripheral neuropathy. On the fourth day of my cipro, I began to have tingling and numbness in my left wrist and hand. I thought I may have been developing carpal tunnel. On the ninth day of treatment I felt my left shoulder start to hurt and it seemed to be connected to the wrist problems. Called my doctor and he switched me to bactrim and said it would clear up in a few days. Obviously that's not been the case. Dr sent me to a neurologist who has me scheduled for an MRI on my neck this coming Monday. I have been taking milk thistle, magnesium citrate flaxseed oil, vit c,b12 since the day I found out about it. I have ordered chelated magnesium and benfotiamine and they should be here soon. Am I doing the right thing? Is anything I'm taking going to be counterproductive . How do I get the neurologist to believe that the medicine caused this? My gp seems to think it did, but stops short of admitting it. Please help. Thank you.

[Stacy2012]

Hi!

Even if the dr admits it is the cipro what will that help?? I mean, treatment is the same, which is try all the supplements, pray, and hope it gets better. The dr telling you or the other dr that cipro caused it wont change much. I have long been of the opinion that diagnosis is less important that treatment. Now, if it is caused by something else, then yes, you will want to know.

I guess I have the opinion that proving what it is caused from is less important than just dealing with treatment since it doesn't seem to matter.

Spend time reading this forum, especially the supplements post that is at the top of this page. Lots of great information here. Sounds like you are on the right track with your supplements.

good luck

[mrsD]

Prostatitis can be treated with doxycline...much safer.
It reduces inflammation and is also an antibiotic.

If your doctor does not believe you... join Medscape--it is free and easy, and print out this article for him/her:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/809520
This is the official FDA warning:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm365050.htm

It is about the new FDA warnings on drugs like Cipro, and its cousins. Only took about 15 yrs to gain credibility, but it IS true unfortunately.

What you are doing is fine. You might add in acetyl carnitine, as the fluoroquinolones do damage DNA...and therefore damage the mitochondria of cells. The carnitine may help this recover.

Using NSAIDS (like aspirin and ibuprofen etc) for pain, or steroids at the same time magnifies the damage and speed it will appear.

I have more links here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post661103-2.html

[jonplumb]

I was given doxycycline in February of this year for the same symptoms. They told me to call back I'd the symptoms returned. Cipro was I second line defense I guess. Are the August15 warnings actually warnings or simply label changes in the side effects section? The paperwork that came from the pharmacy on September6 has two sentences buried in the middle of the side effects section, hard to find. I think the doctor really does believe me,is in close to the best shape of my life less than a month ago, he did bloodwork that day and everything came back coMpletely normal they said ( on the same day the tingling started). Really messed with my head. I am going to report to medwatch and press the doctor to do the same. The neurologist however, is a different story seemingly I know her as a customer of my business, and thought that might work to my advantage, but she says she cant assume anything. Maybe a language barrier problem a bit as well? She gave me a sample of a steroid to try, but I done want to take it,since ive seen they can be problematic. Sorry for the typos ,I'm using my phone and am having trouble typing