Re: Paresthesias first in face torso then Sensory Pn

Posted By Alice on October 23, 1998 at 01:27:34:

In Reply to: Re: Paresthesias first in face torso then Sensory Pn posted by CCF Neurology MD:NT on October 22, 1998 at 22:47:12:






I had a rash following some antibiotics and had Paresthesias in my face and upper torso.  The tingling eventually escalated to acute burning pain and I was diagnosed by a Neurologist as having Sensory neuropathy.  A month later I had feet and hand involvement that I did not have prior.  As it  began in my face and neck at the start.
I was curious as to why one day this is acute and the next not?  Is this the nature of Sensory neuropathy?  The drug insert said can cause Paresthesias does that mean they can escalate to my diagnosis?  Do these things improve in time? For me its been 6 months? thank you.




Dear Alice:
The symptoms that you describe can indeed occur with some forms of sensory neuropathy. This problem is not a common one, and I am not sure this can be attributed easily to the use of common antibiotics. Some of the more common causes (in case a found can be found) include some forms of connective tissue or autoimmune disease (such as Sjogren's syndrome or scleroderma), cancer (specially small cell lung), infection (such as syphilis, lyme disease), drugs and toxins (such as very high doses of vitamin B6, some anti-cancer drugs, mercury), and some vitamin deficiencies.
A fairly extensive work-up is commonly requires for patients with sensory symptoms such as yours. EMG, spinal fluid examination, and numerous blood tests need to be done. Some causes are more responsive to treatment than others. Day-to-day fluctuation of sensory symptoms is not uncommon in sensory neuropathies.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks so much for your answer.  I have had workups for everything you have mentioned and more,  all of which have  been negative.  All of my physicians feel this is atypical in presentation because it is an adverse drug reaction. I was in perfect health then took something called Levaquin and
developed a drug rash. The rest is history.  I was just curious about the fluctuation of the condition.  How does one treat an adverse drug reaction that doesn't go away?  My doctors can't tell me!