Hi everyone! I know it has been a very long time since I posted here, and I feel like I owe y'all an update. I have had alcoholic neuropathy since May 2013 - I do have the typical pain/burning/tingling (and even on occasion, itching beneath the skin which drives me NUTS) - but the main symptom I am concerned about is the numbness. I stopped driving about 2 years ago because I couldn't tell where my feet were on the pedals.

I have been faithfully taking Benfotiamine, B-12 Meth and multi-vitamins - and I also peppered in a different supplement here and there to see if they worked (folic acid, niacin, curcumin, etc.) but after so much time passed and nothing was helping (the symptoms just got worse), I am just sticking with Benfotiamine and multi-vitamins.

My pain and numbness extend all the way to the knee now and I have very weak knees. I have to use stair railings at all times and have to be very, very careful to steady myself because I am worried about having my first fall (and possibly breaking an arm or a leg). I often steady myself using the wall while I am walking around a corner or down a hallway. I have started using the handicap stall in public bathrooms because I have to hold onto something while getting up and down from the toilet.

My fingers are numb almost halfway, but thankfully I am still able to type (albeit with more errors than I used to; I use the backspace key a LOT).

My other symptom which I think is directly related to my neuropathy is that I am losing my toenails. I lost my left big toenail a few months ago and the right one is disgusting looking - it has a blood blister beneath it and it's going to fall off any day now. I soak my feet daily in warm water & baking soda to try to soothe them and to coax the other toenail to finally come off.

So in October 2015 I went to a neurologist who did a nerve conduction study, EMG (both very unpleasant), and administered every blood test under the sun (even checking for hepatitis, which mortified me). Everything checked out OK. After all those tests were completed, I just ended up with a blank look and shoulder shrug from the neurologist. He had no idea how to treat me. I basically said "Don't worry, I know what it is and what I need to do."

I figured I'll just live with it. I can certainly handle the pain because I'm just so used to it. The numbness is really what I want to overcome. I have good days and bad days - I think it probably depends on what I have eaten.

I heard about MLS laser therapy and toyed around with the idea of trying it. Just last week I had a free consultation with a local chiropractor. He took x-rays of my spine and said that my problem is that my discs (particularly L5) are thinning out, thus blood flow to the nerves has been compromised, and that the laser therapy might be worth a try. So several thousand $ later, I signed up for a 3-month treatment program of MLS laser therapy, spinal decompression, and cryotherapy. I am VERY skeptical about it (I have read many stories from folks who said the laser thing doesn't work worth a damn), but my husband really encouraged (almost demanded) me to try it, even if it doesn't work.

I have had two treatments so far, and I must say, I actually feel a little better - like, I have a "spring in my step" that I haven't felt in years. I might not get totally cured, but just having even a little glimmer of feeling in my feet, is the best feeling in the world.

So that's my update (the abbreviated version ). I'll continue to post as the treatments occur. I am still skeptical but hey, nothing else was helping me.