Neuropathy caused by toxins, poisons and chemicals

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Apr 6, 2022

We all read the safety notices on those household and garden chemicals...right? One of the lesser known side effects of some toxins, poisons and chemicals is toxic neuropathy. I'm hoping we can use this discussion to allow members to share their chemical induced neuropathy journey to learn from each other and to raise awareness of the possible dangers.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

I've been fighting against Roundup for over a decade including when taking Master Gardener classes in Palm Beach County but the risks were ignored. Maybe we can finally start to get this stuff out of the soil and food?

"World's most popular weed killer Roundup causes dramatic convulsions in worms even at low concentrations- and may affect the nervous systems of other animals and even humans, study warns."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11141171/Worlds-popular-weed-killer-Roundup-causes-dramatic-convulsions-worms-study-warns.html
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John - went back and found this post. I had an appointment yesterday with my neurologist and this time, we spent an hour discussing current symptoms and we got into my past. I have idiopathic axonal sensory motor PN and we went over about 6 or 7 of the most common causes. I guess the doc had a little extra time on this appointment! Nothing peeked my doc's interest until we got to subject of toxins and all of a sudden, there was interest. In our small town, when I was a kid back in the late 50's and into the 60's, during the summer months, many seaside towns would spray for bugs and there is a possibility that the toxins used back then could be a cause for polyneuropathy. Many kids back then would chase down "the sprayer machine" not knowing then how it could impact their life now. Just thought I'd share what I found out. Possible? Doc thinks so. If my doctor is right, I can't be the only one.

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...um, what about all the chemicals used through covid, used for cleaning stores, medical and other offices, planes trains and automobiles? I used to use bleach a lot and many household cleaners, never knowing what they contained and where I live the doors and windows are closed all the freezing winter, not allowing fresh air in etc. Health Canada has recalled or advised against use of hundreds of hand sanitizers but when I go to dr. office or such and they have refilled their bottles, I/we have no idea if some of the unsafe gels and liquids are on the recalled list... preservatives, additives to medication esp. pills with added colour and filler and it goes on and on... even workplace related chemicals, cleaners etc. we cannot always control our environment and garden chemicals - we only grow a few tomatoes, beans etc. but how do we know what chemicals have been used on farms or by folk selling their veggies at markets. ..... a lifetime of inhaling, eating, breathing in and so many ill children these dats or seem to be... kind of depressing. J.

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@njed

John - went back and found this post. I had an appointment yesterday with my neurologist and this time, we spent an hour discussing current symptoms and we got into my past. I have idiopathic axonal sensory motor PN and we went over about 6 or 7 of the most common causes. I guess the doc had a little extra time on this appointment! Nothing peeked my doc's interest until we got to subject of toxins and all of a sudden, there was interest. In our small town, when I was a kid back in the late 50's and into the 60's, during the summer months, many seaside towns would spray for bugs and there is a possibility that the toxins used back then could be a cause for polyneuropathy. Many kids back then would chase down "the sprayer machine" not knowing then how it could impact their life now. Just thought I'd share what I found out. Possible? Doc thinks so. If my doctor is right, I can't be the only one.

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Hi Ed, It's good to hear you peeked your doc's interest. There are a lot of toxins that we used with much abandon in the old days. I remember the old orange grove smudge pots growing up in California. Going to school breathing that junk on cold mornings and blowing your nose only to see all that dark junk come out.

Never chased any sprayers but in the old days planes would fly over large communities and spray for mosquitoes which affected anyone in the area. Hoping you find some answers from your doc.

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@njed

John - went back and found this post. I had an appointment yesterday with my neurologist and this time, we spent an hour discussing current symptoms and we got into my past. I have idiopathic axonal sensory motor PN and we went over about 6 or 7 of the most common causes. I guess the doc had a little extra time on this appointment! Nothing peeked my doc's interest until we got to subject of toxins and all of a sudden, there was interest. In our small town, when I was a kid back in the late 50's and into the 60's, during the summer months, many seaside towns would spray for bugs and there is a possibility that the toxins used back then could be a cause for polyneuropathy. Many kids back then would chase down "the sprayer machine" not knowing then how it could impact their life now. Just thought I'd share what I found out. Possible? Doc thinks so. If my doctor is right, I can't be the only one.

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Well Ed - I'll google for kicks. Today we hear a lot (whether true or false) about Round-up and things, so why not old mosquito sprays? Growing up on the Delmarva peninsula, I was in a mosquito infested environment being so close to the Chesapeake Bay, Ocean, and marshland. And yes, we kids loved to chase mosquito spray trucks (in the 60's & 70"s) and inhale the fumes. I personally am a live mosquito magnet wherever I live, so I've lived with constant layers of OFF on my body and endured many mosquito bites. Interesting thought.. Debbie

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@dbeshears1

Well Ed - I'll google for kicks. Today we hear a lot (whether true or false) about Round-up and things, so why not old mosquito sprays? Growing up on the Delmarva peninsula, I was in a mosquito infested environment being so close to the Chesapeake Bay, Ocean, and marshland. And yes, we kids loved to chase mosquito spray trucks (in the 60's & 70"s) and inhale the fumes. I personally am a live mosquito magnet wherever I live, so I've lived with constant layers of OFF on my body and endured many mosquito bites. Interesting thought.. Debbie

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Deb, same with me, I've lived on the far southern end of the Jersey shore and the mosquitoes were horrible! Our town sprayed early evenings and kids ran behind the truck. Who knew? For me, the take-away from all of this is that during our lifetime, we encountered toxic chemicals, heavy anti-biotics and other medications that are possibly linked to PN. We can't change the past. And besides, even if we are able to determine the PAST cause of why a person develops PN, what change will that make? No med will fix this. In my case as in many others, according to my neuro doc, the damage is done. Again, sharing of information in this journey is helpful.

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@njed

Deb, same with me, I've lived on the far southern end of the Jersey shore and the mosquitoes were horrible! Our town sprayed early evenings and kids ran behind the truck. Who knew? For me, the take-away from all of this is that during our lifetime, we encountered toxic chemicals, heavy anti-biotics and other medications that are possibly linked to PN. We can't change the past. And besides, even if we are able to determine the PAST cause of why a person develops PN, what change will that make? No med will fix this. In my case as in many others, according to my neuro doc, the damage is done. Again, sharing of information in this journey is helpful.

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Agree that past knowledge won’t help the fact that whatever we have and however we may have gotten it won’t help us now and we need to do our best to live with it and maximize what we can do to make life easier for ourselves by choice; but I’m also ok with being a Guinea pig or piece of data that can help teach parents and companies build better products and make wiser decisions to make healthier people for future generations.

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Totally agree and well put! Things have come a long way in the past 30 - 50 years and in the case of PN, I do believe that in time, the medical community will develop ways to determine many of the causes of those labeled idiopathic. Millions of people suffer from this and some more than others. What makes this so difficult is that the sensations and symptoms vary to a huge degree. But, whatever the cause, the desire to find out why one has this can be worse than the disease itself. I'm in my 7th year and the more I am accepting this as the way it will be with no cure makes me focus more on making the best of what I do have and what I can do. I've always looked at the glass being half full and will continue to do so. Remain as positive as you can.

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