Question Title: Drug Induced Polysensory Neuropathy, plus other atypical symptoms!

I have been diagnosed with Polysensory neuropathy of my entire upper torso head-to hips, and one upper thigh involved. My face is burning all the time as is my hair. My hair is falling out and looks burnt as well. I have a skin rash I have had since the onset that continues to itch periodically and burn.
My Neurologist has no idea where to send me. The drugs I was on were Cipro followed by Levaquin along with a vancenase nasal spray and claritin. Apparently my reporting breathing problems while on Cipro for a respiratory infection did not register with the doctor as perhaps possible allergic reaction. He then prescribed Levaquin. A week later after the Levaquin my problems began with aitch rash and tinglig and burning (this was four months ago!) The allergic reaction was treated with 4 rounds of Medrol, Allegra and Pramosome. (Two of the steroid treatments being injected)
I didn't notice the really intense burning happening until steroids were given. Can steroids cause polysensory neuropathy? My doctor says this is from the Quinolones which he has seen happen before just never with a rash or hair loss. He said it was a toxic poisoning. He said Quinolones usually cause glove and stocking type neuroppathy but not usually what I have. I was put on Neurontin and the pain seems to be escalating? My face and hair feel like their on fire constantly as does my neck and chest back and left arm. . I was wondering if the Neurotin could be causing additional problems? or does this kind of pain get worse before it might get better? or does it get better if its drug induced? All I know is the pain seems to have escalated since I started the Neurontin. Also areas not burning two weeks ago are now burning. The skin on the areas affected feels raw also. Any information you can post me here or e mail me would be greatly appreciated, as I am desperate for help and my doctor has no idea where to send me.
My Neurologist feels there still must be some toxin in my system? or I wouldn't be having my hair falling out or the rash still on going? As he thought things should start to improve. All my tests have come back fine. No diseases, no lupus no ms, no weird immunology panels, cbc fine, cortisol, sediment rates all fine,.thyroid, diabetis, 24 urine, Brian and spine MRI, no demyliating diseases he says. The Nerve Conductor test showed polysensory neuropathy. But I continue to look awful, and the rash seems to be in the areas where the nerve damage is?
Any information you can give me would be helpful. or where you might suggest figuring out what's happening.
I was looking for a toxicologist who may be able to figure out whats happening but there are none here? Or should I see another Neurologist?
I'm desperate for some help. Thank you for any information you can provide!
Sincerely
Badoir

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Dear Badoir:

This post of yours is thankfully far more informative than your last one, and raises a very intriguing diagnostic problem.

The neuropathy that you have may indeed be a pure sensory neuropathy which directly affects the sensory ganglions near the spinal cord, as against the most distant sensory nerves in the feet. This rare condition has also been termed sensory neuronopathy. It often tends to occur relatively subacutely or acutely, and tends to be proximal and asymmetrical as in your case.

There is a list of causes of sensory neuronopathy, but the foremost are underlying lung malignancy (this tends to be associated with specific anti-Hu antibodies) and connective tissue disease (mainly Sjogren's syndrome, which has dry eyes as a part of it). Other causes are rare and include some specific drug intoxications (Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine being important, as also some anti-cancer drugs), idiopathic immune neuropathy like Guillain Barre syndrome, syphilis, and some other malignancies. Quinolone antibiotic that you have been on, steroids, and neurontin have not been reported to cause this problem.

The hair loss that you mention is worrisome. It may be a sign of underlying connective tissue disease as may be the rash. Another most unlikely possibility is that of thallium poisoning, which causes a neuropathy (usually a distal one, unlike yours) with prominent hair loss.

What I have written should make you feel convinced that your problem is a major one, and that you might benefit from seeking a second opinion from a reputed neuromuscular specialist in an academic neurology department. In case you libve near Cleveland, you amy want to see Dr. Hiroshi Mitsumoto, Dr. Robert Shields, or Dr. Kerry Levin at the Cleveland Clinic. An appointment can be made by calling (216)444-5559, or (800)223-2273 toll-free.

Good luck!

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