At the end of September I took a ten day course of antibiotics prescribed by DR PAUL FROOMES to get rid of the parasite Blastocystis. The antibiotics were Bactrim, Diloxinide furoate and Secnidazole.

On the second last day of the ten day course (the 5th of October) the second and third toe on my right foot went numb. Since then I have gradually had reduced sensation over my entire body, with my feet and legs most affected. I have episodic pain in the backs of my arms and legs. If the weather is hot I usually experience this type of pain. Recently my left leg's numbness has increased and I'm not able to bear weight on it for extended periods without excruciating pain.

About 7 weeks ago I noticed changes to my eyesight (reduced depth perception, perceiving things as moving as my whole image is grainy) as well as dizziness and tinnitus. My eyes get extremely tired now.

3 weeks ago I consulted a neuroopthalmologist who diagnosed my changes in visual perception as Visual snow syndrome. He attributed my numbness and reduced sensation to a global impairment of perception.

Brain and spine MRIs and nerve conduction tests have all been normal as well as the blood tests that have been done.

I had another MRI of the brain on Friday which focused on my optic nerves to make sure they are healthy and am waiting on that result. Tests of my eyes from an ophthalmologist have so far been normal apart from picking up on my reduced depth perception and diminished perception of red in my right eye.

In the last month I have developed clicking, pain and swelling in my joints.

Recently I went through the potential side effects of bactrim (the list is extensive) and came across vasculitis. Nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (as well as certain types of systemic vasculitis) can only be definitively diagnosed (or ruled out) with a muscle or muscle/nerve biopsy. Nerve conduction studies are often normal and blood tests will not necessarily reveal abnormalities.

Given the progressive and persistent nature of my symptoms, I am trying to find out what is happening to cause my symptoms now over 4 months since I took the antibiotics and my symptoms began.

I am currently wanting to rule out vasculitis as if it is that, it is something that can be treated which would halt the progression of the numbness and pain.

I have also had panic and severely low mood as well with frequent thoughts of suicide since this all began. I have also experienced a sense of 'depersonalisation'-like life is happening at a distance from 'me' and recently saw that this can be associated with visual snow syndrome. I have a bipolar diagnosis and so have a psychiatrist who I asked to prescribe something for my panic and mood about a month ago. She prescribed 400mg per day of tegretol which I had been on before but had stopped 18 months ago. Despite my history of mental illness I never experienced the panic and severe depression as I have since this began. The tegretol has been helpful.

I also had persistent thrush (it lasted about 6 weeks and started a couple of months ago) that I have got rid of with the help of a Chinese medicine doctor who has helped me over the last few months.

This is a basic summary of my symptoms and their chronology.