Atxlaker,

I'm new here (53 year old female) - first day first post. I too had a somewhat rapid, acute onset. For quite some time my legs and arms would fall asleep but with movement they would return to normal. I found it odd but didn't seek medical treatment. Then my feet were affected. They were cold/hot numb/tingling for several weeks. They felt like they were "humming". Then one night I was home alone and took a hit of pot. The numb sensation shot from my feet to my head instantly. I called an ambulance feeling so embarrassed for having been stoned. I was also concerned that the doctors wouldn't take me seriously and consider it anxiety. In the hospital I was given a CT scan which according to the ER doc showed 2 "spots" that were never explained to me however my primary said the radiologist did not note them in the report. I had been a chronic drinker and pot smoker for 10 years as well as a heavy cigarette smoker for about 8 years. This occurrence scared me straight as I found that when I smoked a cigarette (pot is completely off the table at this point) or had a drink it would immediately increase my symptoms. I can't tell you how hard it is to cope with this without using. I've been taking Epsom salt baths every day as they seem to be the only thing that ease my symptoms. Staying on my feet helps too but I can't tell you how exhausted I am from constantly running both literally and figuratively. I haven't had many conversations with family or friends about it because I feel like they just don't understand the severity of what I could be facing. I'm trying to be brave and not think or read too much about it until I can finally get to a neurologist February 5th (I called every day they finally had a cancellation otherwise would have had to wait until April to be seen. I feel doomed and need to change my thinking or at least stop thinking. If my muscles become impaired I don't want to live that way. Maybe it won't happen or maybe I'll have come to terms with it by then I don't know. I have two girls... I imagine they would be devastated and perhaps it's selfish of me. I know many people live fulfilling lives with muscle impairment but I'm not sure I'm strong enough for that. I urge you to try to stop smoking both cigs, pot and alcohol if you drink for a week to see if your symptoms improve. All of those are toxins and known to adversely affect necogs, I hope you don't find my eating that offensive. I know people use pot for medicinal purposes but I truly believe those substances including pot are the cause of my neuropathy. I'm hoping to have hope because right now I'm faking it until I make it. I'm glad I found this forum and hope to find some sort of relief being here.