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520271 tn?1212009835

Possible toxin reaction caused neuropathy all over my body

About 4 years ago I went to a fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue center. The doctor performed a lot of lab tests and told me I had acute Epstein Barr virus. I thought this was reasonable since I had mononucleosis in college. He gave me an IV which I later found out had hydrogen peroxide and DMSO (horse solvent) in it. He said it was to relax my back. I started burning all over and have not stopped since. I have had every neurological test.The burning started at the exact moment the IV was started. The doctor denied any connection. I went to a local medical school neurology clinic for an evaluation. The doctor told me that I was positive for Celiac Disease (allergy to wheat, gluten, etc). She said that was what had caused my neuropathy. She told me that I simply had to go on a gluten free diet and my neuropathy should resolve-or at least improve.  I have been totally gluten free for 2 years and the neuropathy has worsened.  I am taking Lyrica and Norco. I a in pain all the time. Night time is the worst. At night, the buring changes to a freezing feeling. I have been tested for MS, Lupus, etc. I read that a woman had died in South Carolina from a similiar IV solution with hydrogen peroxide. Has anyone heard of neuropathy from this cause?


This discussion is related to Burning sensations throughout entire body.
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Avatar universal
unfortunately due to abusers, we are seen as drug seekers first, patients second. sad but so true. I quit the pain clinic 4 years ago because of the impact it was having on my medical chart reputation. i too feel as though i cant do another day of this. but each day goes by. massage does help if you have the money and get the right soul. im on mobile, sorry for the grammar.
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520271 tn?1212009835
Thank you for your reply. You gave me some excellent feedback. Really better ideas than my doctors. Although the timing of the IV with my burning pain was the same, several doctors have indicated that they do not think the IV was responsible. It was interesting to me that shortly after I reported my symptoms, the fibromyalgia clinic discontimued the IV's with hydrogen peroxide. I amazed me that the clinic did not call me for a followup.  I would have thought that they would want my description of what happened to me. I have spent the pat 3 years desperately trying to find answers and help for the pain. My first pain doctor gave me steroid injections but never addressed the neuropathy. My current PM doctor offered me information about a spinal cord stimulator.  He has not pressured me to get one.  I have done a lot of research and feel that this is my last resort. I would have preferred to get to the problem and treat it rather than mask the pain. Every single day and night I feel like I cannot endure the pain another day. I'm sure that I have a lot of issues with my body, like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, tendonopathy, etc. BTW, I had my annual physical today with my primary care physician. She skimmed over my history and current medications-never addressed my pain and fatigue. Made me shake my head as I left the clinic~~I'll continue my internet search for support. It's a shame that doctors don't have time to really listen to their patients. I know I can change doctors but that makes it even harder to transfer all the history.
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Avatar universal
The DMSO you are referring to does not have anything to do with horses.

www.cancertutor.com/Cancer/DMSO.html

The above link takes you to a website that talks about the DMSO and hydrogen peroxide solution used in your IV.  Specifically, that combination is used with some chemotherapy.  Some chemo drugs can include cortisone type medicine.  And cortisone is sometimes used to treat mono or EBV.  My guess is the doc who gave you the IV was using a mild sort of chemotherapy to help with your EBV symptoms.  

Now, as far as chemotherapy goes, it can occasionally cause neuropathy.  I personally know of two situations where the people were burned up on their insides, resulting in terrible nerve pain throughout their body.  I have also read in some cases this chemo-induced type neuropathy never goes away.

You are receiving the exact correct treatment for neuropathy.  If you combine Lyrica with an opiate type substance, like your Norco, you are supposed to get some relief from the nerve pain.  I have piercing low back pain, and on an empty stomach I take my two 50 mg Lyrica at least a half hour to an hour before I take my two 30 mg Codeine pills, and then I eat.  I take this combination twice a day.  Some medications need dose adjustment to achieve full effect, and while my Codeine has remained the same for several years, the Lyrica had to be increased immediately until I reached the plateau I'm at now.  Also could be you can try another opiate type drug besides Norco.

My understanding is that neuropathy is helped greatly by a lot of exercise with comfortable shoes.  Massage also helps.  I haven't tried acupuncture, but it is supposed to open the nerve "pathways" to assist in healing.  And since you get cold at night, there is no question that a fair-sized heat pad placed on your legs or wherever it hurts most will help a whole lot.  It helps me, I keep it beside where I sleep and use it often.

I have no comment about the Celiac disease, except to say your new diet won't hurt you, and could be you have that along with the neuropathy as a separate issue.  I also want to add a caveat that while IV chemo can sometimes cause neuropathy, there is a chance that it didn't cause yours, even though the timing was the same.  Just that you had mono at one time indicates your body has gone through some hard times, and there's also a chance your lifestyle is somehow creating a body environment that makes it a good host for bacterial and viral invasion.

Not to put it on you, but I'm no expert, so I don't want to just haul off and say it was your IV that done this.  I just wanted to give you a theory and some helpful hints that might make your condition easier to understand and handle.  There is a large population of people suffering with pain from poorly understood processes, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, which even though that may not be what you got, you can get some support and feedback from websites that are devoted solely to those health issues.
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