Antibiotic Induced Myasthenic Syndrome?

[kla123]

I posted the information below and received a response that it did not sound like botulism.  I did some reading, and it sounds like antibiotics alone could have induced "myasthenic syndrome."  As stated below, my doctor now thinks I have a somataform disorder and does not seem to want to hear my questions about this.  Since childhood I have not been able to take penicilin.  Has anyone else experienced symptoms like muscle weakness, chest tightening, blurry vision, trouble holding eyelids open, etc. after taking antibiotics?  If so, any suggestions on how to approach the subject with my doctor again?

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Is it possible to survive eating food contaminated with botulism without realizing it and then experience ongoing mild effects of it for a year?  The reason I ask is that I was just referred to a neurologist for an MS check for symptoms I have been experiencing all year.  I haven't seen the neurologist yet, but my MRI looks fine.

Then, last week I was prescribed Flagyl for an unrelated problem and after three doses I had serious difficulty breathing, swallowing, holding my eyelids open, and it even felt like my knees would buckle.  When I held my arms overhead to blow-dry my hair they gave out.  I've experienced these things all year, but never all at once, so I immediately thought of the medication.

I looked back at my medical records and realized that there was a link between my symptoms and taking medication.  The last round of "exacerbation" was just after taking azithromycin, and before that dental work with novocain, and before that taking cephalexin.  I read that each of these medications can exacerbate Myasthenia Gravis, so I asked my primary care physican about it.

He said that I had no MG antibodies and suggested that I have a somataform disorder.  He also said there was probably no link between the medication, but without knowing the cause I do know that they are realated.  After the office visit, I looked again at my medical records and realized that just preceding all of these bouts with the medication and all of my symptoms was when I had been to the ER for possible food poisoning.  I never mentioned it to the doctor because it seemed to be before the neurological symptoms and unrelated.

My history went something like this:  I went to the ER vomiting, three weeks later felt I could not breathe, took cephalexin, over next 2 weeks vision problems started, had a shot of Novacain on right side of face (right side still does not feel the same as the left), could not hold eyelids open, then after weeks all seemed to pass ... then had an accident that required pain medication and numbing shot in foot, muscles and legs felt week, prescribed azithromycin for bronchitis, went to ER b/c couldn't breathe, neck hurt so bad could not hold head up, seemed better, took Flagyl, weak/couldn't breathe/see/swallow.

Do these medications aggravate botulism like MG, and is it possible to have botulism for some time and not know it?

[Saheb10]

I have always been alergic to Penecilin.  In 1993 I started to show signs of MG, this was after a heavy dose of antibiotics.  I started to lose control of tongue, slur speach, double vision etc.  I had no idea what it was and doctor thought it was Diptheria!! My wife diagnoed it and suggested doc try a Tensilone test.  This he did and diagnosed MG.  Heavy course of steroids lasted for some years but gradually weaned myself off them and have been in remission now for about ten years thank goodness, but tend to keep off the antibiotics these days.  Hope this helps.  

[kla123]

Thank you that is very helpful!

[patsy10]

Have you been tested for lyme disease or other infectious diseases?   There can be a "dye off" reaction when antibiotics are taken called a herxheimer reaction.  Google it and lyme disease.  It can cause every symptom you listed.  Just a thought.  I'm not a doctor but I don't think the food poisoning has anything to do with your symptoms.  Food poisining is self-limiting.  It last for a few days then it's over.