Just point a blowtorch at your feet while hammering your toes, you'd feel much more at ease.

He said it could actually be maddening, and he was a tough cookie. He hated pithy, was a full on punk with the black leather and mohawk etc. He had a crazy sense of humor about his leg, and could pee himself laughing when he fell in the snow. Made jokes about never having trouble with non-matching pairs of socks... You have to be made of strong material to go through life that way when you are so young.

One of these people I wished I had stayed in touch with. I found a recording of us performing for 600 students in 1982 just recently, and wondered how he would be...

That's the whole problem: logic can never solve it. We like to think of ourselves as being logical, rational, individuals, but when it comes to things like addiction, logic flies straight out of the window. You can't "think" yourself sober, even if you'd be Einstein.

But yes, your progress (in the wrong direction) is the most "typical" I would say. But I have no doubt that Icehouse has PN too, just in a different way.

I mean, even things like how tall you are plays a role in getting PN. Or the types of medication you have used in the past, or if you have used antacids a lot (kills B12...), your eating habits, genetics, type of alcohol used...

Lurking is OK. Some people just don't feel comfortable, or afraid for their privacy, or even have trouble admitting to themselves they have a problem in the first place. Or just aren't familiar with the software. (it can be daunting for some). The information is there, it will be read & processed. Some will join in at some stage, some just prefer to keep on reading, and that's OK too. I think that for every active poster, there are 10 to 20 frequent readers. If it helps one single other person who doesn't post here, we are already golden.

Funny of the day:

As I was leaving a friends house last night (he has PN too and 2 new hips) I heard this awful screaming \ wailing coming from the under the coffee table. I look at the ground, then him, and say, "Dude, you're stepping on the cat".

He looks at me with a straight face and says, "Damn neuropathy"

I thought I was going to vomit I was laughing so hard.....

Good one Icehouse. I am the opposite. I often feel like I am stepping on something and I am always looking down but there is nothing there. When I wear shoes and socks it feels as if pebbles are in my shoes or my socks are all bunched up. In that regard my feet are oversensitive.

Last night I went out to a club. I have not felt strong enough to try that and previously I always crashed due to the social pressure and the whole environment. I finally thought myself well enough to attempt but to eliminate any temptation I told my friend in advance that I was on meds and drinking would be a very toxic combo.

I am here to report that I did amazing well and will be going back next Friday. The goal is to someday tear up the dance floor again. It was a great night but the best part was coming home completely sober and realizing "Yay, I DID IT"! Firsts are the hardest so that was huge.

I am so very happy! Only you guys could understand what a huge victory that was for me but there is even more to it. Concerts and music venues were my main source of joy and entertainment and I had walked away from that for a long time. Either I was "on the wagon" for the hundredth time or I could not drink socially so I chose to stay home and get drunk by myself. Last night felt like a rebirth of sorts and I felt more like myself than I have in a very long time. I will stay vigilant and if circumstances are not right for next week I will not go but just now I feel very blessed. It wasn't just watching a band, it was like coming home. As I watched everyone drinking I questioned why I couldn't just be normal and drink like normal people but I have always liked being unique and when people called me "eccentric" I thought that a great compliment.... so I will put a happy spin on my alcoholism and will choose to think myself special.
I am so proud of myself! Thanks for letting me share.

Woohoo! Proud of you SC!!

That has to be good news. Is the improvement detectable through blood tests, or does there need to be other more specific tests?

Chicken Dinner!
I can relate totally. After a spot of decorating yesterday, and while on my way to my friends for tea, I went into a pub along the way, ordered a pint of Blackcurrant, with soda and ice, sat down like a regular, (with people I know), read my paper, bade my farewells, then went along my merry (but sober) way. What a feeling! Totally reinforces the knowledge that I control IT, not the other way round. I know that there will be occasions of temptation, we are all aware that this particular demon is very, very patient. As far as Meds go, I haven't really noticed any difference since starting the Amitryptiline, except for a couple of negative ones. The first has been weight gain. Even though I am trying to eat the right foods, I am eating too much of them.
The other thing, slightly more concerning, are these sudden dizzy spells, lasting a matter of seconds. The kind you might get when standing too quickly, from perhaps, a crouched position. I must speak to the Doc soon.
Keep it up mate, and remember who's in control here.

I use that approach as well - I just say that "I can't drink for medical reasons.", which is technically true of course.

It is great to read that you had a good time at the club .

Coopster, that all sounds totally awesome .

I reckon that those are all tremendous insights - good job !

I have that permanent "there's a Lego block stuck just under the cavity/arch of my toes" feeling. Some days it's not there, some days it is. So even though we don't have any kids, I get to enjoy at least that part of parenthood.