HA!!! My first car was an old VW convertible Bug!

Hey Guys. Hoping you are all happy and well. As for me I have gone thru a rough patch this last week. For whatever reason the neuropathy is worse as far as the burning in my lower extremities and the soles of my feet are on fire which is new and feels like pebbles in my shoes when I walk. (I repeatedly check but no, nothing there). My one hand instead of having a dead numb pinky and ring finger are now painful and extends into the middle finger which is my thoughts on this process at times.
I have read much and many so called "experts" say that in nerve regeneration it gets worse before better. I hold onto that but I wonder.
I am forever grateful for this place to vent and document my progress/recession. For now I remain hopeful.

Have you tried checking in with the Peripheral Neuropathy forum??? There might be some additional insight into your issues. Even tho alcohol may have played an important role; most of us with PN the cause may be from other issues or at times cause may be unknown. But the pain is one thing we all have in common.

Gerry

Since my last post all of my symptoms have seemingly gone...even when eating lots of gluten and chocolate...even at night...even caffeine is fine.

This also co-insides with having had my final check up from my acute pancreatic attack, which says I'm officially discharged as an outpatient...and basically fine. Despite losing 10-15% of my pancreas.

So since feeling symptom free I've found abstaining from drinking harder. In fact, it's almost felt like the first week again the last few days. I basically think about it all day. It feels like I've left half an uneaten chocolate bar somewhere and I've forgotten where it is.

I've not drank since 2016, and drinking caused me to nearly die with a pancreatic attack, develop PN and almost lose my business, my partner and my house. So I know I shouldn't drink...but it's hard! So far I just keep drinking a sparkling water and orange combination which sort of tastes like the alcohol I used to drink, and eating chocolate to feel like I'm treating myself!

That is great about your symptoms.

Drinking the sparkling water and orange combination sounds like a good plan to me .

[QUOTE=10decisions;1246184 Since my last post all of my symptoms have seemingly gone...Quote

That's fabulous news. I find PN pain a strange beast, at times I suffer with acute pain over and above the 10 scale rating; or so it seems. And at other times it's just relentless in its persistence. Then suddenly on the occasions when it's gone I can't quite recall just how severe it was or adequately describe it. I marvel at how shocked I am each time it returns..

QUOTE=10decisions;1246184 So since feeling symptom free I've found abstaining from drinking harder. In fact, it's almost felt like the first week again the last few days. I basically think about it all day. Quote

That's tough, have you considered AA or other groups including online support groups? DB doesn't have PN but has different issues. So when his acute and then chronic symptoms disappeared he struggled with not drinking. He saw a psychologist weekly for 12 months and it helped significantly. DB felt unable to participate in AA recovery groups because of his job, eventually he joined a group called Mankind Project or New Warrier Training. It's really been very helpful and he meets with them weekly along with attending weekend getaways. He was also prescribed Camparal to help alleviate the cravings. For him, it helped significantly in his first 12 months of recovery. I'm told you have to believe it will help. And DB tells me it definitely did.

QUOTE=10decisions;1246184 So I know I shouldn't drink...but it's hard!! Quote

Have a read if you will of Wide 0 2nd to last post on DB journey to sobriety. He talks about the Lizard brain. It really hit a note with DB and he has in these last few days since I read it to him been remarkably calmer and content. It's worth a read at the very least. I wish you well 10 decisions, your journey is tough but here in NT you have a ton of support from those who have considerable understanding. Hang in there.

2161 days sober

Just got back from a 1300 mile (2100km) road trip with 3 adult women and a toddler that was completed in just under 63 hours....

I am no longer focusing on my PN....I am now concerned about my sanity.

I'm glad that "mental picture" helped a bit.

10Decisions, it may be interesting for you to note that the one time I actually felt some kind of danger to my sobriety was in September 2013. I had gone from a 10 horrible months where I wondered what the point was, to a place where most of my pain was gone, things were looking up, and I had lost 38kg to end up just under my ideal weight. We went to a late night concert of my long time hero, at an open air theathre, we had VIP passes and an invitation to have a backstage chat, it was 30°C at 10 PM... I was even able to dance without pain. I was feeling wonderful, and that's when a craving hit me. Out of nowhere. Boom!

First time in 14 months.

Luckily, I knew about this from discussions on a forum. We are all different, but many people start struggling when things are actually looking up and they feel light and happy.

It will soon pass, and you have to see it for what it is: the addicted part of your brain seeing an opening in your resolve. It's baffling how that works, but once you are aware, it may be much much easier to deal with.

Hello friends.
My computer has been down but oddly is seems to be working at the moment so I am glad to be able to post here.

Gerry, yes the neuropathy sites here offer much great information and I go there to read but this is my "home group" where I come to share.

10decisions, so happy that all symptoms have passed but I had 13 years sobriety and it only takes one drink. I made the same mistake when I quit the smokes. That too only takes one. Also know that while the PN is seemingly gone, I have heard from a few that many years later it can return with a vengeance. Stay strong, you have come far and this desire for a drink will pass. Don't feed the beast.

PamelaJune, I too have these crazy ups and downs. I seem to be in a better phase these last few days and hope it continues but I have learned that these reprieves are temporary. Knowing this when I slide back the disappointment won't be as devastating. I suspect some of my improvement is because I am busy and occupied so I have less time to focus on my pain and discomfort.

Stay well my friends.

Compared to where I have been, I am feeling much improvement these last few days. I am so optimistic that if this continues I can lead an almost normal life. I cannot figure out anything that I have done differently this last week except I had been craving red meat for a few weeks. I NEVER eat meat and gag at the sight so it was a very odd craving indeed. Finally I did succumb and bought a steak and thereafter hamburger. Could this be the reason for my improvement? I have no doubt that I was protein deficient despite my best efforts, but maybe, just maybe the meat is helping me heal? Maybe it is all just a coincidence but I will try to stay the course, though it goes against my value system. Tonight I will try a small piece of chicken.