Question: I stopped taking Zyrtec nine weeks ago because it was causing severe back pain and hair loss, weight gain, etc. That and allergy shots were the only meds that I was taking. I am a 38 year old female. Except for the sinus infections from allergies, I was an otherwise extremely healthy woman. Now, I have nerve pain all over my body with severe pain, tingling and numbness in feet, hands, and face. Sometimes the back of the head. I am tripping and dropping things and cannot walk for more than ten minutes at a time. Neurontin helps this pain, but again I did not need pain meds before this. It has been four months and weakness is setting in my legs and hands. The pain started with Zyrtec. The neurologist cannot find an explanation and has gone from a pinched nerve and carpal tunnel to nerve inflammation syndrome, to what he called an incidental finding of femoral nerve damage because I still have strength in my legs. Thank God for that! Then to a virus???
I have had Brain MRI, neck MRI, pelvic and back MRIs. They say they have ruled out MS and Lyme Disease. I will have a spinal tap and a bone scan (bone scan to rule out cancer). What else could this be? He is saying that meds are all he can do for me and still doesn't know what is causing the pain. Needless to say, I will find another neurologist.
I have read other patients who had severe side effects from this including one other young lady with nervous system side effects. Is this possible, I never had these symptoms before this medication and I was perfectly healthy. I have also lost 19 pounds in six weeks (I have gained two back :-)). Sorry so lengthy, just needed to give the whole picture. What could this be?