Question about Cipro
 

I've read a bit about cipro and neuropathy, but I can't find a concrete answer on a timeline. I was given cipro for a UTI in October of 2014, but my neuropathy didn't begin until a year later. From what I've read, most people have immediate issues while taking or right after completing cipro. Is it possible to end up with PN a year AFTER taking cipro or should I cross it off of my list of possibilities? I only ever took it that once and I think it was a week long, twice a day type of thing. I didn't know a thing about it, but I sure wish I had.

thanks!

I would say yes, it is possible.

Cipro and the other fluoroquinolones can cause tendon ruptures within that time frame easily. In fact they were doing this for a long time before the ruptures were linked to the drugs. As the story goes, it was doctors who used samples given to them by drug reps, who developed the ruptures first and figured out it was the drugs and a delayed reaction.

Warning Signs of Fluoroquinolone Toxicity | Floxie Hope

The fluoroquinolones disrupt DNA of cells, so this damage may take some time to manifest. Some people may be more sensitive than others, and therefore get the problems at different times.

Some have immediate effects, mostly CNS brain effects. In fact high doses are known to affect the elderly rather quickly. Seizures, confusion etc.

It is also possible that your effects are additive. You may have been exposed to another trigger, since there are so many causes of PN.

Some of the reports on the net say this damage is permanent. But some doctors are telling patients that perhaps there can be healing changes in 2 yrs or so. I think that this is pretty sketchy and variable.

Thanks for the reply, MrsD. I went to my first neurological appointment yesterday and the neurologist was not helpful at all. I also saw a rheumatologist because I'm suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis, but she said she doesn't often see PN with RA. I was under the impression that PN can result from an autoimmune disease. I can't get an answer and I'm starting to realize that I probably never will.

PN and drug toxicity
 

I apparently have both autonomic and sensory PN from a toxic reaction to antidepressants -- there is virtually nothing in the literature about it. One neurologist I saw (who is an expert in dysautonomia and toxicity) thought my abrupt withdrawal (which I had to do because of serotonin syndrome: a hypertensive crisis and intense neurological symptoms) may have triggered the PN. My newest neurologist told me she has seen this all before from over-prescription of the medication alone.

I also had a lag time: of just about six months. Yet here is the good news...my autonomic neuropathy -- that had me bedridden because of severe orthostatic intolerance ... is now resolving (along with my other dysautonomic symptoms including gastroparesis, GERD, dry mouth, eyes, etc.) My sensory neuropathy - which is tolerable, is not abating.

I had a slew of testing for an autoimmune disorder (IA)-- all negative results, although I still feel the jury is out -- and I will see how I feel in the fall to decide whether I'll have a lumbar puncture, etc.

I encourage you too to investigate whether you have an IA...it can't hurt and you may be a candidate for treatment.

Best of luck and don't give up - I saw five (5!) neurologists before I found one that seemed very knowledgeable and empathetic!

PS: I've never heard about the DNA theory and would love to read about it!

This is how Fluoroquinolones work:

Mechanism of Action of Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones | Animations | PharmaXChange.info

While searching this today, I found that these drugs are now implicated in causing aortic anyeurisms as well as other collagen difficulties like tendon ruptures.

I get neuropathy symptoms from it when I am taking it but they do resolve in a few days after I stop. I am trying to avoid it whenever I can because I worry one day they will not go away.

There are two similar chemicals with similar names.

1)propylene glycol --- used in foods, drugs etc, has 3 carbon atoms in it.

2) polyethylene glycol --- also called PEG--has 2 carbons. Also added to foods and drugs. This is what is used in Miralax and other laxatives medically.
Polyethylene glycol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here is a site that gives the types of food with propylene glycol in them:
13 Things to Avoid which Contain Propylene Glycol — The Allergista

As an example on my shelf I have AlkaSeltzer anti gas antacid chews with propylene glycol listed (among a boatload of other things).
And Arthritis strength acetaminophen by WalGreen's with
polyethylene glycol in it.

This naming is similar for alcohols too.

Ethanol = 2 carbon alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol= 3 carbons

Both are used today for disinfecting surfaces and skin to kill bacteria and other organisms.

Fluoroquinolones and Peripheral Neuropathy - David Perlmutter M.D.

There are links that read: this class of abx drugs should be Last Resort class prescribed.

Fluoroquinolones Too Risky for Common Infections - Consumer Reports

This article in the latest issue of Nature is interesting in this context.

When antibiotics turn toxic

I took Cipro and Flagyl in combination while suffering from Diverticulitis several years ago. I had many attacks in a one year period and was on these antibiotics for 3 weeks during every attack. I had no side effects from the drugs at the time (no quick onset), and surgery eventually provided relief from the DV, but over time, my PN came on and then progressed. I often wonder if the antibiotics were the cause? I have no way of knowing, but I do know that those medications saved my life during the attacks. If they were the cause of the PN, I suppose it's the price I had to pay...

There are many issues we'll never know about if we hadn't done this or that...I am forever wondering if I had not had a hip replacement how would I be today...I often regret this surgery, but it must have been bad to do it. I live with a lot of damage 7 yrs out. I was doing good 5 months out but all went downhill.

Cipro and company have pretty bad reputations. Feel better and keep healthy on your own as much as you can...it's the way to go.

I have weird neuropathy that is triggered by meds. I too was given Flagyl for DV but I had such a severe neuropathy flare up I refused to continue taking it. I think I just took the Cipro or was given it instead but my DV was probably not as bad as yours. I am not sure but I suspect my neuropathy was initially caused by taking a calcium channel blocker for blood pressure and eating a bunch grapefruit along with it, grapefruit inhibits a liver enzyme that metabolizes meds and that is when it started and was the worst. Several meds trigger mine, notably inhalers, but for some reason I have gotten a lot less sensitive over the past couple of years. I hope that happens to you too.

My story is exactly the same as yours. Suffered from Diverticulitis to the point of requiring colon resection which was done robotically in November, 2016. Was prescribed Cipro and Flagyl at triple the dosage leading up to the surgery. Even then, I still had infection inside the colon. Noticed pain in my legs leading up to the surgery but didn't think anything of it. Within a few weeks of being released, the numbness in my feet quickly spread up my legs. Once it got above my knees it went into my hands and a few weeks later spread up my arms. Numbness has been replaced by the burning and stinging so prevalent with the rest of us. I have a terrible aching in my ankles and up my legs. I feel very weak and suspect I'm losing my strength. I have seen several neurologists who ran a battery of nerve conduction tests. They concluded I have a rare neurological disease called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). They treated me with IVIG for six days and then a round of steroids. When the symptoms returned within a few weeks, I was sent to a second neurologist who diagnosed me with charcot marie tooth disease, which is largely untreatable. Going to a fourth neurologist, she said it was not any of the first two and was a result of diabetes, even though my numbers were normal. I'm about 14 months out now and treat my pain with Gabapentin, Cymbalta and Tramadol. I'm retired so I can minimize the time on my feet. From what I can find out on line, Cipro has a black box warning now due to the potential of PN. Big pharma has been taken to task in federal court for some of this but I don't recall ever being told this was a possibility. Like you, without it I probably wouldn't be here right now since my colon was perforated. I just pray that neither yours or mine are permanent conditions and we can get better. Anyway, I was glad to see your posting. This is a pretty miserable way to live.. Rick

rkc: You could really get some good results if you started on the grape seed ex...I've posted so much about it here....and have been taking it 23 yrs..and I'm 80 this year. I've posted so much about grape seed ex as I feel so strong about it and all it's done in my life...so far....