I am really not sure what regimen of IV antibiotics I was given while in the hospital; I know it was through IV for several days. However, my neuropathy came upon me about 10 days before I was hospitalized. I had gotten weak and numb, and worsened quickly over those 10 days. Then I noticed blood in my urine which prompted me to go to the ER, since my PCP at that time downplayed my symptoms and scheduled me to see a neurologist (who had a 2 month wait). The hospital admitted me the next day when they got my cultures back, and though they immediately started IV antibiotics, it was the next day when my legs totally collapsed and I was wheelchair bound for the next 6 months. With the help of wonderful PT, I learned to stand again and walk with a walker, and strengthened hands/arms to where I could do some things, like use a fork and type (oh the joy of going to the bathroom by myself!!)
So, I can't see how I could blame any antibiotic, though I know to insist, if needed, that going forward not to use that one because I now have PN. I have a hard time believing that the infection in my body (before I noticed the blood) is not strongly corelated to my "idiopathic" neuropathy. But the one time they tested for Guillain-Barre early on 5 1/2 years ago, it came back negative. Everyone takes that one test on me as Gospel, and wouldn't/won't repeat it in case it was wrong or too early to detect then... But Duke University Hospital said "it COULD be a post infection disorder". But because they don't know for sure, nobody will treat it as such, like try IVIG like you would Guillain-Barre to see if I might respond to it. I don't know how much insurance companies tie up our treatments, but I know that I'd be a lot cheaper if I was made able enough to go back to work as a productive finance manager.
Thanks for the suggestion - the questions are good for us to research and see what could have been overlooked!