Does anyone have peripheral neuropathy caused by drugs? Thanks.y
Hello Carolyn. I have not heard of that but perhaps it is possible. I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy and there is no cure for it. Have tried the Gabapentin and all sorts of things like Lyrica and the only thing that helps me is the hydrocodone to relieve my pain from it. It took months of tests and no findings. Took a skin punch biopsy to find it. Do a lot of google research that shows studies. I have had the neuropathy diagnosed in 2011, but had it for years and they couldn't find what it was. I was on Benzo's for 20 years, just got off earlier this year. I had the neuropathy before and after the Benzo's I am sure. I have been on pain meds (low dose for over 20 years for degenerative disc and joint disease. 5-325 of hydrocodome with tylenol. Hopefully someone else can give their input. I am not a doctor and can only go by what I experience. Enjoy your day! Ruby S
Thank you for your reply. I too was on benzos for over 20 years and these sadly caused neuropathy amongst a lot of other things. I am now off them and hope to heal but dr says it may take 12 months. I wish you well too, take care. x I was on lyrica sister drug of Neurontin but neurologist discontinued it as it caused a movement disorder.
I too am a sufferer due to benzos and statins according to my endocrinologist. I had to stop the statins.
Hey carolyn- just letting you know I developed neuropathy immediately while tapering off the drugs... i was on them for 9 years and I think it alters your gabba receptors. There are many folks on benzo/ z drug discussion groups i've spoken too that have experienced the same effects.
sorry to interject but can you please PM the contact details of the other groups. Thanks.
Which benzos were you taking and for how long can I ask ? TY
Hey jhow21-
I was on all kinds of z-drugs (mostly zolpidem- z drugs are cousin to benzos) for 9 years and Temazepam for one of those years.
I do t know if I’m allowed to list other forums on here.. but a quick google search for benzo forums will land u a bunch - biggest is b buddies. There u can contact others for further info.
What symptoms do u have? And what drugs were u on?
Hi, I just came across this when I searched for "neuropathy and benzodiazepines". I stopped taking Klonopin 4 years ago and after a hell of a withdrawal that basically incapacitated me, I was left with a few lingering symptoms, and neuropathy in my feet it the worst.
It flares when i am stress or when I eat MSG, but it is basically a problem 24/7. I have been online today trying to get some info about it as I was supposed to try wall climbing today and I had to pass it up because of the pain.
If you get any info, please let me know.
Hi Liz. i had to go get tested at a neurologist. Had 32 tests and then the skin punch biopsy that took 6 weeks to come back. That is when they told me I had the idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. It is very painful and will always get worse due to no one knowing what is causing it. I have to be on pain meds probably for the rest of my life for this. My suggestion is going to a neurologist and having them diagnose this. There are so many things that can cause neuropathy and maybe you have one that can be treated. I wish you the best of luck. At least if they test you it will give you a little closure on why the pain is there. Burning, numbness, stabbing and the more you use your feet the worse they feel most of the time. Please keep me updated. I would start with your primary care doctor and go from there. Enjoy your day! Thank you, Ruby S
yes i believe they play a large part in my neuropathy either directly damaging nerves or triggering an autoimmune illness that does. i was benzos and z drugs on and off for almost 9 years and started experiencing the sx as soon as i tried coming off them. hard to prove, but enough anecdotal stories from benzo users on forums have me convinced they play a role.
HI I have just read this and sounds alot like what I am going g through, could you tell me what medication you are on please
HI could you tell me what tablets you are on please
Hi Susan. I tried everything. The gabapentin made me crazy and didn't really help. Took all the Lyrica and other one. Now I am on hydrocodone beings mine is the idiopathic one I go to pain management every month and take 5/325 4 times a day. Without these I would not be able to do anything. At night I take tizanidine 4 mg. They made me do the injections in the back but that just made my back worse beings I have degenerative disc disease. Don't get me wrong.,.,. I hurt every day but the hrdrocodone works for me. Has for 10 years. Takes about 50% away. Oh and I was on Lorazepam 3mg a day for 20 years. Got off last year. If the benzo is the cause then I am doomed. The idiopathic small fiber never goes away. Wish you the best. Ruby S.
I was taking Zolplidem, Eszopiclone, Temazapam for almost 9 years. Developed neuropathy and now take Lyrica - which doesn't help much.
okay let me start with I'm a physician assistant and I have been practicing medicine for almost 30 years. on Friday May 7th while driving to work a gentleman attempted to cross the roadway I missed him but the cars behind me killed him. on May 10th I was given Xanax 0.25 mg to take twice-daily over the course of seven days I took two and a half pills - initially I had something comprable to ulnar neuropathy on my right hand which progressed to my left hand. I have not used benzodiazepines long-term my last dose of benzo was in 2017 and it was lorazepam my last dose of the medication was 5 days ago and I still have numbness bilaterally in my hands I called visor and will be registering a complaint there are neuropathies that come with withdrawal that I am looking for a new onset son bilateral neuropathy of course the drug company denied it happened but the pharmacist told me that the half-life was 26 hours and that the numbness should be gone in a day or so but I still can't feel the sides of my hands
Are you saying you developed neuropathy in just 7 days?
Doesn't it seem strange to you that if the drugs (you don’t say which ones) caused the neuropathy it would only start when you stop the drugs? It almost seems like whatever you were taking controlled the neuropathy.
That is possible this is why its important to checkup with the GP when in doubt.