Hey Wrist! Thanks for the kudos!

I was lucky to not have severe liver damage, and I think I caught my neuropathy in time and treated it semi-properly. I am not out of the woods yet, but maybe someday.

I really have no advice.....sorry.

Hi All,

I have been a social drinker for 25 years, occasionally drinking more at parties, weddings and Christmas.

I have been suffering from depression for over a year, and in September this year I began to self-medicate. My drinking peaked in October when I estimate I drank around 500 units of alcohol, including 2 36-hour binges where I drank 2 bottles of spirits and 2 bottles of red wine on both occasions.

Since then, I have been troubled with pins and needles, numbness and burning in all 4 limbs, poor balance, blurred vision, and difficulty starting to urinate.

My own doctor did some basic tests, which were normal. I was then hospitalsed for 4 days, during which time different doctors performed various rwflex tests which they said were normal, and also a CT scan and an MRI scan, both of my head, both of which were normal.

All of the doctors I have seen have said that one month of heavy drinking would not cause these symptoms and the symptoms do not represent alcoholic neuropathy.

However, I am extremely worried.

What do you think?

I think you are lucky to have survived those binges.

Binge drinking has been found to be more dangerous in some ways compared to just frequent heavy drinking.

Alcohol is classified as an anesthetic. Its chemical makeup is 2 carbons, and and OH group-- which makes it very easy to cross the blood brain barrier and enter the brain. It also permeates nerve tissue in the spinal cord and rest of the body easily.

In large quantities taken in during a binge, the liver cannot metabolize it away fast enough. If enough is taken in fast enough it becomes a poison, and kills cells. Alcohol applied to the skin illustrates this poisonous quality by disinfecting wounds and skin, removing bacteria. You can also lose consciousness and vomit, and inhale the vomit and die of aspirated stomach contents. This can damage the lungs severely, if you survive it.
Some people can suffocate if lying on their stomachs during unconsciousness.

Cat scans and conventional MRIs (not the new high Tesla ones still in experimental use), do not show chemical damage unless it is in a massive scale as in trauma, or stroke, hemorrhages etc.
So a clean MRI or CAT scan doesn't mean much if symptoms are present.

There is a new study on this thread, from PsychCentral discussing one heavy drinking session a week in healthy college students, who showed DNA cell damage:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01...dna/64002.html

This article discusses potential healing from brain damage from chronic alcohol use:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2006/12...brain/491.html

And this, brain damage from binge drinking:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/06...age/27301.html

When alcohol is metabolized, the byproducts are called aldehydes, and these can also be damaging and cause nerves to complain as well. Using Thiamine B1, can help this, because thiamine is a part of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.
Also some alcoholic drinks contain other chemicals, called congeners, which maybe toxic themselves, and not typically considered by doctors at all. Google "congeners" to learn more about this.

I really hope you read this whole thread. And I really recommend you avoid alcohol completely in order to heal the damage already done. A severe binge can damage the lining of your stomach, and lead to ulcers. Severe binge drinking can cause pancreatitis also, which is a nasty thing to have to live with, if you survive it.

So take care now, and please use the tips on this thread to help yourself heal from this current situation.

Agreed. I look back at the 'habits' I had while drinking and I cringe. I can now think with clarity and I am appalled at myself for some of things I did while under the influence. The one thing that boggles my mind is how I let my body deteriorate and not see it coming. WTH was I thinking?

I think that it is quite clear that binge drinking (and consuming large quantities on a regular basis) affects brain function and rational decision making. It also has a detrimental affect on our physical bodies.

I plead with you to either quit drinking or cut-down the intake to something that normal society considers reasonable.

I am proof that the affects of alcohol are somewhat reversible and you CAN lead a "normal" life again.

You can do it.....

Today it's 900 days AF, 330 days SF. #teamyoucandoit ;)

1218 days sober.

Back on the vitamins, what an idiot I am thinking I could slack off. Anyhow, I am back to "normal" and looking forward to maybe skiing again this winter. But, here in Central VA the weather is like a yo-yo, 70F one day, 35F the next....amazing I don't sick more often.

Started my own company this month, been a long time coming. I have never been wired to work a 9-5 job and this is up my alley. I can still spend the 30+ hours a week volunteering with the homeless and get paid to do it :D

Keep your stick on the ice folks!

Icehouse in the cold.

Awesome effort
 

Hey Ice, are you allowed to say what your company is on here? Just asking out of interest, I love to hear of people finding the oomph to kick off a venture.

Hubby went 60 days and fell off with a small thud, went another 7 days and had a big thud. This weekend we have a family wedding, not going not really an option. He is driving, pray for us he can find his way back to the wagon. In the 60 days off, his skin cleared, he lost 8 kilos and looked fabulous. I suspected he was having a fall and chose to say nothing figuring if he thought I didn't know he would at least have days of not drinking. Now he knows I know, I fear we will be back to daily excess within a week. Sorry to whinge! To those of you who get through every day, I am in awe of your spirit and strength. :hug:

Well, I am not sure if the rules of the "board" allow it but I will tell ya anyway :p

For the last couple years I have been volunteering at a place that caters to the homeless and recovering. I have been using it as my "accountability" to keep myself sober.

Well, it turns out I have a knack for getting other people jobs, specifically those who are homeless, recently incarcerated or have a minor record. I have created about 200 resumes and put about 45 people to work in this town since I found my niche.

Well, I turned it into an online portal: http:www.newleafemployment.com

I have one employee now that handles sales, and I will hiring more in the new year.....

This is SO inspiring, Icehouse - just wonderful. Best wishes to you in your endeavor, I know you will be very successful!

Icehouse. I just called to make skiing reservations at Chestnut Mountain in Illinois (think Really Big Hill) for my kids and me in January. I asked about senior discounts, but I forgot to ask about alcoholic peripheral neuropathy deals. Suppose there are any? ;)