Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaybot95
Hi!
I'm a 27 year old male and I've never considered myself an alcoholic but I've definitely been a problem drinker on and off. These past few months I've been drinking twice a week, not to the point of blacking out or anything, but I've been drinking quite a lot. I had hangovers that lasted 2-3 days but that didn't deter me from drinking. Last friday I drank at a club with my friends and it got a bit out of hand. Following this, I had a hangover for a week and on the eighth day I started feeling tingling in my feet and numbness in my hands along with tremors. This affected my balance and I felt "round" underneath my feet. This alone made me vow to stop drinking entirely and I think I'll be able to do that, but I'm worried about permanent damage to my nerves and that this will last forever. I went to the hospital and got a vitamin B1 injection. I've read that alcoholic neuropathy is reversible if caught early and the alcohol intake is ceased but I'm scared to death that this will last a life time. I'm now taking vitamin B supplements daily and I'm on day 10 since my last drink. My balance is slightly improved but the tingling is still there.
Anyone here have experience with alcoholic neuropathy? Did you recover? How much were you drinking before? How old are you?
Please tell me there's a chance my body recovers. This has been a real wake up call. I'm never drinking again. I know what's at stake now.
Grateful for replies!
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Hey Jaybot,
At 27 you have every chance of making a full recovery. There is a period after ceasing alcohol where the body, symptoms wise, appears to make no progress. This is common in toxic neuropathies and known as coasting. It can even feel like things are getting worse. Typically it takes thirty days to see any progress. The liver may be ridding itself of toxins so eat plenty of fruit and veg, rich in anti oxidants and/or supplements like Triphala or Grape Seed Extract [sorry Caroline]
Your questions are irrelevant in the sense that it depends on the sensitivity of the individual to alcohol as a neurotoxin. Some get PN after one drink. Alcoholics may never experience PN.
Set yourself a 1 month or 3 month challenge to do everything you can to get better. Eat an optimum diet. Take the optimum supplements. ( Don't overdo B6 - that can cause neuropathy) Exercise. Drink water. Those hangovers suggest dehydration. Meditate. The body is a great healer. Give it every chance do to its job.
Best wishes,
Atty