Did you people suffering with PN know that commonly prescribed antibiotics in the Fluoroquinolone class can cause: peripheral neuropathy-eye and sinus problems-muscle pains-tendonitis-gastro-intestinal problems, and more. Some of the antibiotics responable are: Cipro,Levaquin,Avelox,Floxin. There are 13 total in this class of antibiotics that have side effects that can cause the above mentioned problems. The side effects are listed in the PDR, but most Drs. are unaware of this problem. A new warning was included in 2004 of the potential for severe and permanent PN with the use of Quinolones. There are several forums filled with people that have had thier lives ruined by these antibiotics. The damage can show up weeks to months after you are done taking the Quinolones. They can also cause severe insomnia and anxiety that goes away after a few weeks. This could be the cause of alot of the so called "idiopathic" PNs out there. Just google in - Quinolones and adverse drug reactions. I hope this helps. Nacho

So what happens if, let's say 25 years ago, my husband was hospitalized with "fever of unknown origin". and he stayed there about 2 weeks (they put him in isolation because they did not know what was wrong). I couldn't even visit him and I had just had a baby.

So does this mean that Alan's Idiopathic PN could have been caused by a med that he was given 25 or so years ago. Alan has had this for 18 or so years.

boy, now wouldn't that be something??

Melody

These quinolones have been around for over 30 yrs.

During the early 90's I suffered terribly from sinus infections. I was on Cipro but also Zithromax (The Z-pack that hits the infection hard in 4 doses.) Off the top of your head, do you know what class Zithromax is in?
Anyway, I finally had the sinus surgery to stop the constant infections and pain.

Due to an infection caused by negligence, my husband has to take Levaquin for life. I pray he does not pick up PN on top of all of the rest of his medical problems.

Thanks;
nancy-h

But Cipro is. I would recomend you go to drugvictims.org before your husband takes anymore Levaquin. It builds up in the system and is toxic to people at different levels. Some people can take several doses before they have permanent damage. Others can be damaged on the first pill!

If you already have PN and take one of the quinolones, It can make your PN go off the charts. This is what happened to me. I was finally getting my pain under control and some feeling back when my Dr Rx.ed cipro for a minor urinary tract infection. He was unaware of the warning on PN. My PN is now so bad that I can barely walk. He did not believe me, and told me he would no longer be my PCP. (did me a favor). Google in peripheral neuropathy and quinolones....it's all there.

Myacins are safer for most people.

I took my last dose of avonex yesterday. I did know the risk as I had to take it in August. I was so sick and nothing would help but this antibiotic. I don't think any of us should take those drugs as a first try. But at this point I am fine. I have small fiber neuropathy in my legs. Only time will tell I guess.

Laurie

In retrospect, it became clear that I had suffered a severe neurological reaction to Cipro. However, when I was diagnosed (via a nerve conduction test) with sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, the cause remained idiopathic at the end of my workup by a neurologist. Only after I had a severe reaction to a Levaquin pill months later did I find the FDA warning that had been issued in autumn 2004 about PN and fluoroquinolones. I can't post the link to medicationsense page that includes that warning because I haven't yet posted 10 times on this forum.

Welcome to NeuroTalk Laurell--

You don't have to post Dr. Cohen's link, as it is all over this
forum already.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post661103-2.html

Thanks very much, Mrs. D. I haven't met a doctor who has heard of of it! I've had encounters with a primary care provider who refused to hear about/look at/read it, an infectious disease specialist who thanked me for bringing it to his attention, and others between those extremes.