Hey welcome, and good on you reading the whole thing, not many do that!


I'm in a hurry, but I actually don't think that sounds like typical peripheral neuropathy.


Sure, there are exceptions to the rule, and I know some people in the neuropathy forum have this, but generally, it is a degradation of the nerves (well, their myelin sheeth) in your extremities. For all kinds of reasons, not in the least: lack of B12 from drinking. Since those nerves are the furthest away they degrade first. (taller people are at bigger risk BTW). But as you noted, there are probably 100 causes of neuropathy, certain antibiotics, statins in some cases, etc.



That said, whatever you have will almost certainly get worse when drinking. Our bodies are just not equipped to process the toxins (aldehydes mainly).


As for symptoms: I never had numbness, I went straight to excruciating pain in a matter of days. There's also a difference in which type of nerves gets hit first: sensory or motor nerves. Motor nerves are responsible for walking/keeping straight etc. I have no damage on my motor nerves, and quite a lot of damage on my sensory nerves, bad enough that it showed up on the EMG, basically from my shins down.



All this just to say: there is no easy diagnose. Even if less likely/atypical, it may still be what you have. But only a neurologist could (no guarantee) find out.