NeuroTalk Support Groups - Alcohol Induced Neuropathy Part 2

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- Peripheral Neuropathy (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/)

- - Alcohol Induced Neuropathy Part 2 (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/250134-alcohol-induced-neuropathy-2-a.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan125 (Post 1296995)

Hi everyone,

New to this site and really worried I may have AIPN. 34 years old and have been a heavy weekend drinker since 20. Since covid my drinking picked up significantly, drinking on average a case of beer every weekend. Would abstain Monday-Thursday and then repeat. A few months ago I noticed significant fatigue, and most recently experiencing persistent calf twitching in both legs. No pain in my hands or feet, but my calf muscles are very tight all the time. I'm trying to get sober as I'm sure it's years of drinking catching up to me. Was sober for a month and symptoms seemed to be getting better. Last weekend I relapsed, and when I woke up my right leg was very numb from the knee down. My calves feel like they're they're going to spasm. I started a multi vitamin and have been drinking as much water and stretching as much as possible. If I stay sober and am committed, is there hope for me? Or worst case, is there any hope that if I stay sober my symptoms at least shouldn't expect to get any worse? I'm terrified and just looking for support and any advice, whether that be supplements, exercises, foods to eat or not eat, etc...

Hey there, and welcome. I am relatively new to this site as well, and you sound a lot like me as a drinker. I was a mostly weekend drinker too as a big sports fan. I received a small fiber neuropathy confirmation a couple months ago from a biopsy. I will echo Icehouse in that stopping drinking will help. In five months, I still have ups and downs, but I definitely feel like I am no longer getting worse. I also took an antibiotic several years ago that can cause nerve issues, so I don’t know that alcohol was the sole cause of my pain, but stopping certainly hasn’t hurt things. Try and be as active as you can. I have had to ease back with some exercise, but there are stretches of time where I feel pretty good, too.

3806 days sober

Great CHRISTmas, quiet new years with friends here at the house and now I am enjoying the day off in the middle of a blizzard! I love the snow, but only once or twice a year ;)

3500 days, not much else to report!

After being 10 years sober, do you see any improvement/difference from 5th year to 10th year for example in your neuropaty?
Or all recovery was completed in first 1-2 years and the rest is just keeping the situation stable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by damlays@gmail.com (Post 1297906)

I mean in other words, actually, how long does it take the real recovery take which we can observe the difference/improvement in real life.

After 3-4-5 years are you still feeling/observing some more and significant improvements?

Quote:

Originally Posted by damlays@gmail.com (Post 1297997)

Sorry for the delayed response.

Yes, it has been a progressive thing over the last 10 years.

I still have lousy balance, I sometimes can't stand still for very long and I still can't run or jog at all. That could just be me being lazy though.

I am not 100%, but it beats a wheelchair and I no longer miss out on the activities of life!

3836 days sober

Well, COVID got me (just a cough and fatigue) so I enjoyed 10 days at home in the hot tub with the wife. Never missed a day of work and it was like having a cold. Wash your hands and don't lick doorknobs.

Being going to the gym about three days a week, quit smoking cigars and I might, maybe, perhaps consider jogging soon. Maybe.

Three trips booked and we are off!

Woohoo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icehouse (Post 1295268)

Hmmm, wonder what happed to SecondChances. Not seen a post from them in years?

I am here. I went back out and only now climbing back. I seriously need rehab but sadly it is not an option so I continue to try on my own. The alcohol has caused estrangement from my son which is a heartbreak and several health issues but it is the neuropathy that gives me the most grief with loss of QOL.

I have been back here periodically stalking you all but too embarrassed to post. Having said that, it is good too see you all are thriving, happy and well. I want what you have.

Try to keep posting, even when you are not doing as well as you'd want. Posting = accountability.

I can only say that for me, it was impossible to stop without help. I tried twice, went for several months, and then crashed both times. It took me 70+ days in rehab to reset my brain.

I know it's easy for me to say, it's not as expensive here, but we had to turn our life upside down in order to allow for me being gone for that long. It was hard. I lost my clients/job. But I'd be dead now if I hadn't done "hard".

Keep trying, not for us, but for you, for your son (but mostly for you, the rest will follow). Try out AA meetings, maybe several. Some will fit you, some won't. They vary depending on the group, some are more into religion, some are not. Try to find a sponsor.

And remember that it gets easier. Not trying to sell you anything, or give dumb and easy false hope: it can be done, we know it can be done. You somehow need to find the right path that fits YOU.

I wish you the best in finding a way to recover.