Jan and friends,
Will taking flagyl on a long-term basis cause a neuropathy? Like - 250 mg 3 x daily?
Thanks, John
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Maybe, maybe not. Nothing is definite and it varies. That is how it is with side effects. But, mainly, the longer you take it and the higher the dose, the more likely you are to develop a side effect. The good news is that if you pay attention and stop the drug when you notice the tingling in the hands or feet, the neuropathy is temporary. If you continue taking it after neuropathy become apparent, it can become permanent.
So, 250mg 3 times a day is fairly low dose, but after a month or so, you might want to consider rotating antibiotics, reducing the dose, or cycling off and on with it (with ample drug "holidays" to get it out of your system).
For me 500mg or even 250mg daily is enough to keep pouchitis symptoms in check. Right now I am on an antibiotic drug holiday after cycles of Flagyl, Xifaxan, and Cipro. It's only been 4 days so far, but however long I can go I consider a treat!
Jan 
risk is there but as Jan said its not a guarantee.
I have a friend who's had neuropathy, presumably from Flagyl. but who knows
I have taken it periodically for pouchitis, usually for a week or two, at worst took it for a month on a rotating basis as Jan suggests above.
drug works for me, but the taste is debilitating over time for me,
I was took flagyl in much larger doses for c.diff in my colon and also in my j-pouch. I was rotating it and Augmenten every 2 weeks and noticed my peripheral neuropathy in my feet got worse when taking Flagyl. I quit taking it and rotated with Xifaxan instead. I can't take Cipro either. I already had peripheral neuropathy so it didn't cause it. Just made it worse. Things were like Jan explained above. I hope you are feeling better soon.
I feel so dumb asking this again - asked it on another thread - I have taken some anti biotics off and on thru years - but not all that many. I am wondering if maybe with my symptoms if I would do better taking more of them. I've always been "tough it out" or "stay home more" - in terms of dealing with issues rather than take more drugs - but maybe I've been too cautious and could have gotten more relief over the years. Jan- thanks for a great explanation about neuropathy and ways to look out for it. You really do make such a difference to so many of us out here - thanks a million!
Is it reversible? Once you get peripheral neuropathy is ith permanent?
Sharon