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Old 09-21-2015, 10:27 PM #1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubinin View Post
Hello, time to share my scary story, if I may. I have unilateral sole paresthesia and ulnar nerve related paresthesia (left side), 4 months after waking up to reality and not letting alcohol destroy my sense of self-reliance and physique anymore.

I am wondering how long how long until these paresthesias resolve? I have no frank weakness, so it seems that only the sensory nerves are affected for now. God willing.

This tingling was quite pronounced with sudden onset on the night of April 3 - tingling in left sole. 2 hours later, tingling in left hand - ulnar nerve (since smallest finger and the one next to it on LS affected). The hand tingling disappeared on certain postures with left forearm (rotation of left hand to palm up position and resting forearm in lap).

Minutes later, felt tingling around left corner of mouth for about 6 minutes, then the sensation fully disappeared. Right thumb vaguely felt tingly, but resolved very quickly. Right big toe felt tingly 3 hours after tingling in left sole commenced.

Hours after ulnar nerve impairment, left hand radial nerve involved - all of back of left hand tingling (pins/needles).

Immediately commenced 400mg vit B1 (@ 9.30PM, April 3). This in addition to vitamin regimen:


10,000iu vit A,
1500mg Magnesium
Vit B3
Vit B6 and B 12
Choline
Inositol
Vit C
Chewable calcium
2000iu Vit D


Midnight, April 3 -4: right toe sensation resolved; right hand again normal. Symptoms can be exacerbated by jiggling legs on points of toes from seated position (the things we do when we get paranoid, yes, yes...). Went to sleep and awoke 4 hours later, only mild paresthesia persistent on back of left hand.

No recurrence of right side paresthesias.

Personal/Drinking History:
-------------------------

Discharged from Special Forces, 2011 (drank one shot about 5 times in my life before that time). SF taught me to drink. Was extremely fit, lean and - weighed in at 220 pounds.

Changes in muscle mass noticed Feb 2014, after binge session. When ceased drinking, physique returned to normal in 2 weeks.

Bodyweight down to 183 pounds from 220 by Aug 2014.

When ceased drinking for a month, body-weight returned very rapidly.

Relapsed into drinking (foolish, yes. I thought I could "manage" it and didnt see IT was managing me).

Insomnia October 25-31, 2014 lasted 5 days

Insomnia recurred and persisted thru Nov 1-5, 2014.

Cessation of alcohol: Nov 31, 2014.

Dec 2014 - Noticed after gym work that "pumps" were not as big. Due to less muscle mass, not as defined. Pumps and psychical appearance of upper body, arms seems to change on daily or weekly basis - with glimpses of past form. More fatty deposits noticed. (Diagnosed as myopathy - acute form overlaying chronic form. Told to give it 3 to 4 months to regain lean mass. Fat explained as "trapping radicals and toxins in body" by naturopath ...).

Dec 31 - Jan 2, night time onset of left leg sciatic nerve paresthesia - VERY mild sense of warmth in back of thigh; restless feet that night, chronic insomnia begins. Awake and feeling "wired" after only 3 or 4 hours sleep. Sitting at computer, warmth in leg, very very mild sense of tingling left sole.

Coerced myself into drinking 3 glasses of wine at birthday party Feb 20, 2015 - no change to insomnia. (GABA receptors affected).

Feb/Mar 2015 - tachycardia, sense of being very awake or hyperactive - resolved very quickly once commenced Magnesium and vitamin regimen detailed above (WITHOUT B1). This marked protracted withdrawal/recovery phase.

Feb 2015, two incidences. days apart, of awaking with left arm and hand tingling mildly, Resolved very quickly on getting out of bed and moving.

Insomnia regularly persistent until March, 2015 - commenced that above vitamin and mineral schedule.

Drank heavily from Dec 23, 2011 to Nov 27, 2014. Cessation on Nov 31, 2014. 3 wine relapse on Feb 15, 2015.

Currently, paresthesias are nowhere near as pronounced as they were on Apr 3. Better after light nap, seem to be worse on waking after deep sleep. Seems to change on an hourly basis, or less than that - tingling more definite some minutes; followed by an almost complete absence of tingling for other minutes.

I estimate from my records that I purchased some 212 bottles of slow death, and then drank them at a rate of better than one a week for almost 3 years at a median rate of 4.29 standard drinks per day. (Some days were double or triple that, with some rare months of abstinence). After such idiocy, if a few pins and needles is all I get, then I am more blessed than I pretty much deserve to be.

And you know... It's the roadblocks that we avoid, that could have made all the difference... my own examples include being called out by my dear lady on being drunk and pretending not to be (I kept it from her and the rest of the human race). (Thank God for her Sagittarian bluntness)... And bicycling home with a bottle and for noooo reason, (handlebars seemed to lock up on a STRAIGHT road) coming off, and breaking the bottle, and getting soaked in aldehyde stinking death.

There is no safe amount of alcohol. It would be classified as a class A substance these days, if it were recently developed.
Yes, Dubinin . Some of us are sicker than others.
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Old 09-23-2015, 10:57 PM #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newstown View Post

I wish I could predict how changes in exercise affect my symptoms, but it seems pretty random. It's hard to know if one is helping or hurting....thanks for the post.
Hi newstown,

Random is the way of nerves, especially when they have been impacted by any kind of trauma. I can see it is a real nuisance, not being able to predict accurately how your nerves will go from day to day.

The temptation is to drop exercise. But, the general strategy should be to keep exercising, as far as energy levels and other factors will permit. The maxim that people have adopted with success is to keep working out as much as they can. Now, the problem is that if a peripheral nerve has been affected to the point strength is subsequently affected, then one needs to augment their work out for safety to avoid complicating things further through injury.

So it comes back to tediously applying oneself to adjusting loads and limits, and trying to start with a base minimum and trying to stimulate the muscle groups as best we can (and as far as restricted insights and random nerves permit).

At my worst, I was down to 7 pushups (or less) a day, with a few squats. But it was something. I decided that if that was my new starting point, so be it, and that I would build from there. Don't be afraid to "tear it down" to a new minimum. You will always be better able to gauge results from setting the bar too low than too high.

I worked my 7 pushups into something a 3 year old could have pulled off - 7 push ups became three sets: 4-5-3 pushups, with an extra 1 or 2 every time I worked out again. But, I kept going, doing anything I could.

Low impact exercises minimize *injury* and will help cardio- pool, elliptical (exercise bike), walking over a known course (a safe course - one with no trip hazards or weird obstacles like stair wells and golf course bunkers - important if one is having foot drop or leg issues) and trying to better times - all of this will help minimize injury, if you can do it.

When large muscle groups are malfunctioning, then going back to "core" and physiotherapeutic exercises is still something.

It is the worst feeling when you know what you can do, and you just can't do it. But it can and does come back. A lot of literature uses the shallow doom of "PN can be permanent" without explaining exactly WHEN it will be permanent. It is useless, and should not be used as a formula for quitting exercise. Peripheral nerves are very capable of healing themselves, given the right nutrition and rest support (in cases of insomnia - this often comes back to high dose vitamin therapy as it did in my case and the cases of many many others).

It is also a horrible feeling when people don't just get it. We know what we are capable of, when nerves permit (and they will again). They say such things as "Well, you just have to accept this as the new you," as a nursing amour said to me during this time. Really? I resisted swallowing her glib and diffuse commentary and went at it against her fatefulness. People just don't get it. We give up expecting them to. But we focus on the important issues of never giving up - and always looking for the solutions that fit our issue.

I hope anything I said was useful. You will be better than you might feel you are today. It can be a demoralizing experience like no other when nerves go awry. But there is, generally, a solution for everything. So, hang in there!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby78 View Post
Thanks for the detailed reply! It's much appreciated. I think we're in the same boat. And yes, I'd like to right that ship as well.
You're welcome, Bobby78! Great that we are in the same boat (and what a boat to be in) because we just might be able to find the same solutions to right the ship.

Good news - B12 seems to be working wonders for me. Longer sleeps, clear dreams, daily reduction in paresthesias, better concentration, no anxiety now, body seems to be slowly "filling up" again from being slammed. And this was my big news that I was coming here to report. But B12 seems to have caused a breakthrough for me. So, this would be my recommendation for you, fellow shipmate - I have a hunch, a theory, that some people are not great absorbers of B12 anyway, and as long as they live like the Amish they tend not to encounter the plethora of problems that come when B12 goes low. However, drinking like crazy, as I did, highlights this and continued heavy drinking will bring on a bunch of problems that can be misdiagnosed; mismanaged; and if we are reaching for supplements, those can mask even a B12 deficiency.

So advice hot off the press is to check B12, (and B1, and don't overdo B6); and if in any doubt at all, consider starting the B12 therapy mentioned above in my last huge post!

I'm so convinced B12 is the answer for me that was lacking, and wish it was as straightforward for everyone!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiix View Post
Yes, Dubinin . Some of us are sicker than others.
Yes, Wiix, some are. But, yes, in the end, we all have the same darned thing, and don't worry, I have felt like hell, and there are times when I still do. In the end, it isn't who suffers more but that we suffer; and that we can encourage one another; and that we can share insights; and pan for golden solutions and give them out selflessly that will make the difference. I think anything - especially at the early stages - helps. Hang in there.

Last edited by Dubinin; 09-24-2015 at 05:22 AM. Reason: typo
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Old 09-23-2015, 11:29 PM #3
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Default 7 Days on B12

Notes from the past 7 days on high B12 protocol to treat B12 deficiency.

(B vitamins are pivotal in maintaining nerve and muscle health. B12, B1, B2, B3, B6 all have their role to play. It is easy enough to accidentally mask a B deficiency. B12 deficiency, in my case, was masked and overlooked. Symptoms persist needlessly in such cases. So, check your Bs! And make sure that more intense testing is done than just to check serum levels of B. In the case of B12 "a more sensitive method of screening for vitamin B12 deficiency is measurement of serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels" (Dr. ROBERT C. OH and Dr DAVID L. BROWN: Am Fam Physician. 2003 Mar 1;67(5):979-986)).

My Study on Myself: High B12 protocol and results - WEEK ONE

SEP 18
======

SLEEP: Slept 5 hours, with vivid dreams (it's been a while).

PARESTHESIAS: right toes, left instep, heel, left hand on waking from sleep. right middle fingers.

COGNITIVE: Some "forgetfulness"

CARDIO: tachy on waking from naps. (3 naps from 12:30- 3:55pm)

78bpm at rest.

WEIGH IN: (2 pair socks, track pants, t): 209LBS (95 kg).

---------------------------------------

SEP 19

SLEEP: Slept 6 hours with wakefulness in middle, after going to bed late

PARESTHESIAS: less than yesterday. Right hand TINGLING on waking. Elevated to pillow and alleviated.

CARDIO: Did not notice as forceful tachy on waking. But still present, only to lesser degree.

76 bpm at rest

------------------------------------

SEP 20

SLEEP: Slept 5 hours solidly. Reclined for a further two. Dreams are very vivid. Sleep is very deep. Wish it was longer.

PARESTHESIAS: Finger tips both hands paresthetic. Some minor shake. Greatly reduced tingling in feet. Very very faint tingle in left foot. Fingers on both sides feel tight. Thumb on left feels tight.

COGNITIVE: Concetration is better. Able to more quickly retrieve lost thoughts/names.

CARDIO: Valsalvas and stretching with tensing of body on waking lead to pronounced tachycardia. (120 BPM, bounding).

68 bpm at rest


-------------------------------

SEP 21


SLEEP: Slept 5 hours then a further 3 or more - one break, clear dreams and deep sleep.

PARESTHESIAS / NEURO: Legs feel a little weak, trembly, but not visible. Can carry groceries up three flights of stairs without much problem. Still wish I hadn't. See a little more meatiness to my slightly trembling hands.

This afternoon, a strange thrumming sensation at coccyx. How to tell anyone about that one?

RH less tight feeling. LH a little tight esp around thumb.

L sole tingly (3/10 rating) R sole - not tingly. Some numb patches on outer sole RF.

COGNITIVE: Concentration is better, able to focus on jeopardy better.

CARDIO: No notable tachy on waking and stretching.

74bpm resting


-------------------------------

SEP 22

SLEEP: Slept 5 hours then a further 3 again. Clear dreams. (it has been so long!)

PARESTHESIAS / NEURO: feeling generally tired. 3/10 left sole paresthesia. L quad seems to be coming back a little! Calves still have "missing pieces".

Very slight tingle left fingers. RH no tingling.

CARDIO: 70 bpm resting. Minimal tachy on waking.

------------------------------
Sep 23

SLEEP: slept almost 6 hours straight.

PARESTHESIAS / NEURO: Awoke tingle free. Just starting to get tingly now 5 hours after waking. About level 3.3/10

Twitch in inner right thigh since midnight last night (17 hours worth of inner thigh getting its groove on by 5:20pm today).

CARDIO: No tachy of note to report.

64 bpm resting.

------------------------

SEP 24

SLEEP: Slept 7.5 hours with tiny wakefulness after the 5 hour mark, I think it may have been. Vivid dreams - Schwarzenegger was in a red long sleeve shirt, and I was assisting him in avoiding the Predator. Lawd... my dreams are undeniable jejune today. But very clear - and yes, we do dream in color.

PARESTHESIAS / NEURO: Awoke with no symptoms in feet. Some tingling faintly in right middle fingers. Just starting to feel tingle in left sole now (on standing, 1.5 hours after waking).

Oh! Twitch has gone, thank heavens.

CARDIO: No tachy on waking.

68bpm rest

MUSCULAR: Body is "filling up again." Face feels fuller; cleft in chin returning (didn't know that was a muscle thing) can sense how tight hands have been. I stretch them better now, and can feel the burning measure of their new freedom. Legs changing shape for the better. L quad/thigh really returning. Was scared, frankly, when thighs were "straight!" Now the quad is hooping our a little more, as it should in my case.

Ab muscles are much more willing to tense (have been slack and "distant"). deltoids coming back. Junction of neck and traps- I again have such a junction. Not as pronounced as before, but it is there.

WEIGH IN: 209 lbs steady.

OTHER: Skin color and texture even looks much better. It must be said: I even feel more calm - tranquil - on the B12. Must look into that. How much anxiety is caused by B being low? Anyway, it feels like a drug and thank heavens it isn't one. I'm probably high on levels of this and that, as they return to normal.
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Old 10-01-2015, 07:41 AM #4
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End of week two. General findings: improved state of muscular contraction and marked decrease in paresthesias. Better sleep. Etc. (Will post tomorrow on week two findings).

As a result, conducted further reading and decided that I will continue this course of treatment at 2000mcg daily for 90 days (based on 2011 evidence that supports this - see below). Then I will reassess. Then, if required, proceed to 120 days at same level.


The following information is from Am Fam Physician. 2011 Jun 15;83(12):1425-1430.

Link: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0615/p1425.html


Quote:
Patient information: A handout on this topic is available at http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor...amin-b-12.html.
Quote:
Treatment

Treatment of clinical vitamin B12 deficiency has traditionally been accomplished by intramuscular injection of crystalline vitamin B12 at a dosage of 1 mg weekly for eight weeks, followed by 1 mg monthly for life.1,2 In a 2005 Cochrane review, patients who received high dosages of oral vitamin B12 (1 to 2 mg daily = 1000 - 2000 mcg) for 90 to 120 days had an improvement in serum vitamin B12 similar to patients who received intramuscular injections of vitamin B12.20 These results were consistent in patients regardless of the etiology of their vitamin B12 deficiency, including malabsorption states and pernicious anemia. Given the lower cost and ease of administration of oral vitamin B12, this might be a reasonable choice for replacement in many patients. In cases of megaloblastic anemia, reticulocytosis generally occurs within a few days, and the hematocrit generally normalizes over several weeks. Advanced neurologic symptoms may not respond to replacement. Vitamin B12 has been demonstrated to be safe in doses up to 1,000 times the recommended dietary allowance and is safe in pregnancy.
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Old 10-01-2015, 07:48 AM #5
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This is a better link to AAFP:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p979.html

This is my B12 informational thread....it has more detail than the medical ones:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

Alcoholics can also benefit from thiamine or its newer cousin benfotiamine. Thiamine is a cofactor in removing aldehydes which are byproducts of metabolism of ethyl alcohol.
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Old 10-14-2015, 04:14 AM #6
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Dear MrsD, I already provided the 2003 link in post #25.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p979.html

The 2011 link was provided to show the B12 deficiency treatment protocol that has changed markedly in the last 8 years.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0615/p1425.html

AND B12 also suffers greatly in people with a history of excessive alcohol consumption but this is often masked when taking an oral multi B and especially FOLATE ( ie., B9 or Folic Acid) replacement, as this will mask deficiency of B12, but the damage to peripheral nervous system continues.

QED.
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Old 10-22-2015, 09:47 PM #7
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Dear people, B12! I'll say it again, B12! Google it and see just what an impact it has when people are deficient in it.

Forasmuch as people claim B1 is the main thing lost to alcohol dependency, it is not true. B12 also takes a massive hit, probably more than B1. A multi or taking Folic acid (folate, B9) MASKS the issue.

Big pharma doesn't make profits from cures, but keeps making return clientele to fuel one of the biggest monopolies on the planet.

As for me,

I have never felt better as I did since taking the B12. Not yet perfect. But paresthesias are at an all time low. Face shape is returning, muscles are starting to wake up and fill out again after the erosion of neurogenic atrophy. Skin color is wonderful, seborrheic dermatitis is gone. Sleep patterns are stabilizing.

My warning is this: B12. Take it, and make sure you do not become someone who is exploited by big pharmaceutical companies and poor grade vitamin companies.

This stupid, evil system values youth. In my experience, as soon as you pass the barrier of 30, kids at McDonalds start calling you "Sir." And doctors become more and more "conservative" and minimalist in their treatments.

ALWAYS demand your rights. You have the same rights as anyone. All people have the right to proper and fair treatment. And YOU have the right to make sure you get the best care, especially for something as harrowing as a neurological issue.

You are not created to be a purse, wallet, piggy bank for big companies. You are human. You have dignity and pride and worth! Never dare give up the image of who you REALLY are.

Peace, love and flowers to you all.

I go by 'Kris Whitestone' in the "cult camp" of Facebook. Be sure to look me up some day, if you ever want to stop by

As my final post - here is my regimen that has done me the world of good:

1200 : 85mg B6, B1 (250mg), B3 (400mg), B5 (300mg), Vit A (10,000 international units- do not used for prolonged time), D3 (1000 iu), Magnesium (300mg) - take ALL with FOOD. [All the Bs are contained in a B complex]

1400 : Calcium (600mg) with food

1700 : E (500iu) and Zinc (125mg as amino chelate; do not take for prolonged time) with food

1800 : Magnesium (300mg) with food

2200 : B12 2000mcg TAKE ON EMPTY STOMACH (2000 for first month or two, then reduce to 1000mcg oral daily for up to two years. If symptoms increase, return to 2000mcg for a month at a time before reducing to 1000mcg). This is the most important vitamin, to which every other element in the regimen is hinged. (You may choose to start your day with this instead of the B complex - just switch them out)

0000 : B1 (250mg), Magnesium (300mg), D (300mg) with food.
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