PLEASE HELP! I have been reading these threads for a few weeks now, but not quite sure if I have found the answer to the title question-how do I know if my neuropathy is alcohol related?? My doctors say no since all my blood work comes back great except the Sjogren's antibody testing.

I am underweight and have some nutritional issues to work on, plus I am hypothyroid and have another autoimmune condition called Sjogrens in addition to peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet plus being cold all the time. I quit drinking six months ago because I felt it could be a factor. I was probably drinking almost a bottle of wine every night for a few years!

I did not notice a huge difference. So in between, on occasion, I started to have a small vodka gimlet or half a glass of wine. It seems like two-three days later I lose my appetite and my face is a bit swollen. It is hard to tell whether this is alcohol related or not since my meds keep changing. Despite drinking or not, I constantly have reddish circles under my eyes. This can be a Sjogrens symptom as can the neuropathy.

I am just curious as to whether this sounds like alcohol neuropathy or not? There are so many factors to consider for me...underweight/nutritional, Sjogrens, etc. Would it take two-three days to have an effect?? And could one drink make a difference like that? And would the loss of appetite/red eye circles have anything to do with it??

Thanks in advance!

Loss or appetite for sure, tingling, etc...but if it was alcoholic neuropathy I think you would of seen a difference after 6 months.

Besides, if you can have a gimlet of Vodka on occasion you are probably not an alcoholic.

Wish I was that fortunate

Have you considered going to a naturopathic dr (ND)?
http://naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=60

You could have some food/drink sensitivities (red circles under eyes) that are wearing down your immune system.. MDs don't study this very deeply.
Just because your test #'s are showing as OK, there could be some slight issues that can be repaired.