At the start of this whole ordeal (circa 2007) I noticed that stepping up onto curbs got more difficult and I would find places with ramps on purpose. My feet felt heavy and I would lose my balance occasionally. When the numbness started to set in I would purposely park near the "cart things" so I could use a cart to steady myself while I shopped (read booze). The tingling got worse, the numbness got worse to the point where I could not walk without assistance.

I continued to drink, telling myself that it was just a phase. Hello wheelchair!

When I quit drinking altogether in 2011 that is when the numbness plateaued and it SLOWLY got better. I graduated to a walker, then to a cane and then back to walking where the 'gait' came into play. The damage to the nerves caused my balance to appear like I was drunk

So, yes, I had good days and bad days.