I have chronic pouchitis and Cipro is very effective in treating it (250 mg twice a day). Unfortunately, I now have tingling on my finger tips on both hands. I wonder if this is the first sign of peripheral neuropathy and if it’s going to progress fast. Are there alternatives to Cipro? I tried VSL, but it is not effective at this point. I’m still optimistic about it, but I’ll try it again when I have better health conditions that will allow it to be more effective.

Also, I have severe anemia and wonder if it could cause the tingling. Does anyone have an opinion on this? I will get four sessions of iron injections in the next month. Do you know if this can trigger pouchitis or help it? Can iron pills trigger pouchitis?

I’m a bit desperate right now, because I don’t know how I can cure my pouchitis without antibiotics. Any help would be great.

Your on a pretty low dose and this is not a common side effect of Cipro. But, I must say that tingling fingertips can be an early sign of peripheral neuropathy, and it is one of the adverse reactions that you need to stop taking the antibiotic when it occurs.

If I were you, I'd stop taking the Cipro. Maybe you can get by with amoxicillin or tetracycline. Flagyl isn't a good substitute at this time because it is even more likely to cause peripheral neuropathy than Cipro.

The reason you need to stop the drug is because you really don't know at what point the symptom will become permanent and irreversible. It may or may not progress.

The anemia could possibly add to your tingling, but it is not likely. The iron infusions will not trigger pouchitis, but they also will not affect its course. Iron pills should not trigger pouchitis, but they can cause GI upset, adding to your symptoms. It is more likely that the chronic inflammation is causing your anemia.

There are other treatments besides antibiotics. You can try topical steroids (hydrocortisone enemas), 5-ASA drugs such as Asacol, sulfasalazine, and mesalamine suppositories or enemas. You can also try oral steroids, or immune modulators, such as Imuran.

Jan

I had the same thing happen to me from Cipro last summer after taking it on and off for a couple of months. Although this is not a common side effect, it can happen. My peripheral neuropathy was more in my legs and feet, a little in my arms, too. I was told to stop it immediately.

I also had the same effect from Remicade so I think that I am prone to this. I was very upset since I was afraid that I was out of options to control pouchitis. I am not perfect by any means, but I have been able to get by with taking VSL#3 daily and hydrocortisone enemas when things are really bad.

Good luck, I know that dealing with side effects are frustrating. I have had to stop taking many medicines due to this and my surgery was ultimately a result of not being able to tolerate the side effects of the meds anymore.

Thank you for the answers. I really appreciate this. As always, this forum is a great resource.

Actually, two weeks ago I started a maintenance dose of Cipro (250 mg twice a day) due to recurring pouchitis. But I’ve been on and off Cipro or Flagyl for the past year. I had five courses of Cipro or Flagyl at 1000 mg per day. I got some tingling immediately with Flagyl and I guess I’m now sensitive to this type of antibiotic.

The longest course was 21 days. I do have mystery pain in my arms and legs that come and go for no reason, but I simply assumed that it was related to pouchitis or iron deficiency. I now tend to think it is related the Cipro or Flagyl.

I’m going to call my doctor and ask for alternate antibiotic or medication. Many thanks.

just finished a course of cipro for pouchitis and experienced the tingling in my feet...

I never put it together that it could the cipro...
thanks for the tip...luvvvvv this site
Lorri

I had the same thing and was surprised it was cipro because usually flayl (SP) does it so I do not take it but I did get it with cipro once I stopped for a few months it was gone to...One time my hand was tingling nearly an entire day and I was worried.

I wanted to say you should give the VSL-#3 another try. If you do not take it consistently and long enough (daily for several weeks) you will never get enough good bacteria in your system to really know if it helps or not.

And I am totally sunk if it is determined Cipro is the cause of my current peripheral neuropathy, as it is my last resort. I have my aching fingers and numb toes crossed about this one. . . .