Quote:
Originally Posted by Okone1
I have alcoholic peripheral neuropathy. 404 days ago, I went to the hospital with pancreatitis. Because of alcohol withdrawals, there were complications. I spent 7 days in the ICU and 7 more days in the hospital. Feeding tube, ventilator, everything. I was having normal conversations with a .34 BAC. I had an enormous tolerance and problem. So, after a few months, I discovered I had large fiber peripheral neuropathy in both feet, a pinched nerve in my back, and a torn labrum in my shoulder requiring surgery. Vodka kept the pain at bay, so I didn't discover all these problems until I quit drinking. I also was anemic. People asked me if I felt better after I quit, when in fact I didn't. I could feel pain! But I hung in there. 404 days later, surgery, EMG, NCV, colonoscopy, endoscopy, lumbar injections, 2 MRIs, Bone scan, multiple cat scans and X-rays, and a ton of blood tests, here I am....all done alcohol free. If I can do it, anyone can. It doesn't matter what the situation is in your life. Alcohol does not relieve stress, it is a source of stress and destruction when abused.
I continue to improve. It will take a lot of patients and time, but I am determined. I have been reading this thread and thought I would say hello. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. It has really helped me through some dark times. It's nice to know you aren't alone.
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Wow, another incredible story - thank you for sharing, Okone1. At the risk of repeating myself, it's incredible to me that this condition has not been SHOUTED FROM THE ROOFTOPS for years now, being that so many of us suffer from it. Good God, if I had known I'd be feeling like this (numb feet continuing up the legs, numb fingers, weakness, balance problems, occasional pain), I would NEVER have drunk as much alcohol as I have across the years. I honestly don't crave it, it's just a habit and "the thing you do" when you're with friends. When life handed me a bunch of crap, my drinking rose exponentially, which I am sure led to my condition.
I knew what I was doing might harm my health, but when I was drinking almost nonstop daily, the worst thing I thought would happen would be liver disease or the like...I would check for the symptoms - yellowing of the eyes, etc. - never had it, never had any other symptoms at all, felt fine, so I figured, the worst thing would be a hangover. And I don't get those, either! Just this DAMNED neuropathy. Again, if I had known, I would N-E-V-E-R have consumed so much alcohol. I had actually never heard of neuropathy until I went onto WebMD a couple years ago when my feet started getting numb and tingly.