POST-VIRAL NEUROLOGICAL

[bossanova]

HI. I have had a battery of tests including two MRIs with contrast of brain and c-spine, spinal tap, evoked potentials, bloodwork including ANA, thyroid, sugar. All have been negative and no white matter changes or oligoclonal bands, although my spinal reading had a mildly elevated protein count at 51 (45 being upper normal range). My symptoms, which have come and gone over 15 months, include transient numbnesses (especially hands and legs), floaters and sometimes trails in vision, vertigo and sensation of tremor or dizziness, electric shock sensations including on neck movement for a few weeks, headaches and muscle soreness, bladder retention and bowel problems, itchy skin, hot flashes (I'm a 29-year-old male), fasciculations, ejaculation problems and lack of pelvic sensitivity, sweating, prickly sensations. The only major change in my health up to this point was a diagnosis of HSV2 (for which I took acyclvir) and subsequently prostatitis, for which I took Cipro for 8 weeks. All the other problems started concurrently with Cipro. I do not have any ''new'' symptoms and don't want to have more tests. The docs I have seen say they don't really suspect demyelination, although it was what they were checking for with many of the tests. My neuro exams have been normal, but the symptoms have cycled back and forth time and time again. My MRIs were a year apart and still there were no changes. Normal brain, normal spine. I would like to know, given above, whether demyelination would still be a possibility, and how likely? Also, might the Cipro have caused my problems? thanks

[ang942]

I had taken both cipro and leviquin 2 years ago. Two weeks later I had painful burning on my lower extremities, trouble walking, chronic fatigue. It has been 2 years of going to rheumatolist and neurologist. Bloodwork showed positive ANA, and recently a high rhuematoid factor. I had my 3rd MRI that indicated a venous angioma. At this point of my life I have severe memory loss, weakness, chronic fatigue, numbness, burning, tingling, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, dizziness, and headaches. I am 30 yrs old. Before all this started 2 years ago, I had a very active and social life. At this point my body seems to be aging rapidly. It seems that the Doctors do not have any answers.

[WannaBHealthy]

Hi--Just want you to know that I've had 6 months of accute tendonitous following a course of the antibiotic Levaquin.  Levaquin and Cipro are related antibiotics.  I no longer take either of them.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

The normal examinations, MRI's, and spinal fluid analysis would support that this is not MS or demyelinating disease. I am not aware of Cipro causing similar symptoms in other patients. This is a commonly used anti-biotic, therefore if it was to cause similar symptoms it would typically be reported. If you still have concerns, I would recommend seeing a MS specialist at a large academic center. Good luck