Confused
 

Hello,
I have been having strange neurological symptoms since November, 2011. It started shortly after I had several viruses/illnesses within a brief time period. I really think the nerve pain/nerve condition is due to genital herpes. I was diagnosed with herpes, HSV 2, in October, 2011. In the same month, I had a bad throat infection, a severe sinus infection, a yeast infection... then in November it seems that my nervous system just went haywire. I had shooting pains in my arms and legs, pins and needles everywhere, pain in my hands and forearms, and in my feet. My arms felt tremulous, and my lips felt numb and tingly. Lyrica seems to have helped with some of that. Now, my left foot hurts worse than the right, but both feet are hurting. The pain comes and goes, and is worse on some days than others. The pain seems to rove around in my feet, hands and forearms. There doesn't seem to be any numbness.

I saw a neurologist who did an MRI of my lower lumber region, and he said everything was normal there. He didn't do a nerve conduction study. He said he thought this was a temporary condition which would improve over several months time. He put me on Lyrica and said to come back in April. I have also started taking Valtrex for herpes suppression. The Lyrica does seem to have helped a little.

I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience after contracting HSV2. I know HSV 2 is related to herpes zoster, which I have read can cause neuralgia. I haven't seen much about HSV 2 and neuralgia or neuropathy.

Also, what doctor would be the best to visit? I'm not sure the neurologist I saw was very thorough.

Thanks very much!

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

There are viral aftermaths that can affect nerves. Some
neuros tell their patients this will clear up with time, up to a year or more.

But I wonder what antibiotics you were given? Cipro, Levaquin or Avelox? Or Flagyl?

This is the Medications thread with connections to PN: Many people get exposed to drugs and don't consider those are just as likely to cause damage as other things!

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread122889.html

There are tests for antibody titres to the Herpes family of viruses. They include Herpes Simplex I and II and Zoster and HHV-6.

I'd get testing for B12 levels too, and bring the numbers here.
Doctors still follow low lab ranges, which they call "normal" and they are NOT. You should be at 400 or above to be fairly normal. B12 is just a starting point. There are many things that cause PN.

Thank you so much! Those antibiotics don't sound familiar, but I'll look them up. I remember several... Amoxicillan, Fluconazole, Azithromycin, Valtrex, Augmentin, Estrace.

I also got tinnitus, which started at this same time. Is this also typically a symptom of neuropathy?

Sounds similar to me
 

Hi
I muffled hearing in right ear and popping as well as more cold sores than ever and l have to take lyasin supplements daily. Coming to think of it, l just hope these supplements haven,t caused this.


Sue

Do you mean l-lysine? This amino acid should not be causing PN.

I'd suggest you have your Vit D measured too. Low D results in
low immunity and more frequent contagious illness.

Here is the D thread we have here with medical information:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

It is getting to be a long now, but in the very beginning are two videos, one from Australian medical people, and one from University of California San Diego Medical School, about keeping Vit D at good levels for health. I try to keep that thread up to date, and near the end also is new information, since that thread started.