For what it's worth, I hate running. But, the girlfriend is an avid runner therefore that makes me one too! LOL!

She accepts me the way I am, but I figure I will give it a shot. :Bow:

Go stale, flatline, or as in my case, go two steps forward one step back for a while.

Overall, I am still improving, but sometimes I seem to relapse (on the pain that is, not on the booze). It's not always clear what causes it, but overall I haven't been in great pain lately. A "nagging pain" is the worst that seems to happen these days, mostly at the top of the ball of my foot. A bit like having stepped on a lego a minute ago. ;)

The stabbing pains which went as high as my ankles are totally gone. Thing of the past. Poof!

And, get this: there are days, or parts of days that I don't feel ANY DISCOMFORT AT ALL (sorry for shouting...). And even if I'm in a "one step back" period, it's manageable. I'm OK with it. It is what it is.

So there's that. And then, even though I'm not having the greatest time of my life right now, I can't help thinking almost constantly how happy I am that I'm sober these days. It helps, even when things are a bit lower. Right now, being sober just feels awesome. Day 604 FWIW.

Good luck with the running, I expect a YT vid. ;):D

Awesome!

Maybe on the "Funniest Home Videos" show...

Haven't checked in a while, job has been keeping me more than busy. However...drum roll please...

6 months this week! And ever so proud of myself.

Next up...quitting these stupid cigarettes. Wide-O, do I remember correctly that your PN got significantly better once you quit smoking (how's that going by the way?). I seem to remember that from a thread I found somewhere, or should I take it from your latest post here that maybe that was a good spell for you. Our symptoms are somewhat similar, so I'm following your progress with interest.

My PN, sadly has gotten worse, whether it's the winter, or the fact that supposedly it gets worse before it gets better, or...SMOKING...or all three. I don't know. But the pins and needles have left my feet and taken up residence in my hands and while it's not debilitating, it's certainly is frustrating and depressing. Advil doesn't seem to do much, I'm on Gabapentin (for alcohol cravings and in a lower dose than is usually prescribed for neuropathic pain from what I understand, so I guess it makes sense that it's not doing much).

But hey, I'm sober and working again, that's more than I can say for myself six months ago. So life ain't so bad...

On the positive side health wise my blood sugar is under much better control and my BP has dropped considerably, I've lost 60lbs so far too.

For the life of me, pbwithpn, I can not find the study summary where the "worse before it gets better" aspect was described in very good detail. The gist of it was that a process is in place where the axons and the myelin sheath around the nerves continue to degrade for a time even tho a person has quit drinking. Then, the improvement becomes noticeable. I am just over 6 months myself and actually feel , in some ways, more symptoms than I did when I first quit. Fortunately, none of them are major and I feel great overall by not drinking. The few studies that have been done well show that pn caused by alcohol abuse has a very good chance of reversing, but the studies I have seen usually refer to people who have quit for a couple of years at least. So hang in there, I am, and I think good things are gonna happen.

Hey PB! It was a good spell unfortunately. PN is something that goes up & down, but overall it's getting better. I was able to jump up and down lately, and my goal is still to be able to slam dunk again in the foreseeable future. :cool:

The smoking stop first went great and then I got seriously depressed and stopped sleeping. After 30 days I went to my GP, and she said that maybe I was doing too many things at a time (with quitting the booze and losing weight etc). She did not want me to take pills. But I didn't want to go back to smoking and settled for vaping. It's still an addiction, but a much less dangerous one, so that's what it is for now.

I have days without any pain at all, and that makes the days when pain comes back (again, in much milder form, but still...) potentially depressing. However, I just take it on the chin and move on. Relapse isn't even an option anymore, it's weird to feel free of that baggage.

So it's day 620, with 2 years and after that 1000 days just around the corner.

And you are doing great too - it will get better eventually. Although I can't promise you - depending on your height - that you'll ever be able to slam dunk again. ;)

Alright, enough! All of this good news is just making me sick!

KIDDING!!!

Even though you are all just words on my screen, I am proud of each of you for the positive changes in your habits, lifestyles and thinking. This is a mild form of accountability here in this forum and I NEED to post here ever 30 days with my sobriety count. I do it for myself first, then for you.

Wide-O, I am close to my 1K mark...I know I will make it!!

And I have no dreams of slam dunking anything at the moment.

You know, I think you will! Pretty sure about it actually, as far as I can judge that bunch a words on my screen. ;)

Shortypants! :D

(just to be clear: I was talking basketball there OK! ;) )

Does numbness ever go away?
 

Has anyone had feeling come back after loss of feeling and sensation, or once it's gone, it's gone for good? I am most concerned about my feet and walking. It seems they are becoming more and more numb. I asked my neuro and he gave me the "one of three things will happen" response (get better, get worse or stay the same). I know everyone is different but I am curious about anyone's experiences specifically regarding numbness.

The pain of neuropathy is annoying at best and at times unbearable but I have always considered numbness to be my most frightening symptom.

Thanks :confused:

Beatle, read back through the thread and you can follow the progression of many of us.

But, for a quick answer, my numbness is 99% gone. I still walk with a bit of a gait, but I am pain free and feeling good.

Thanks for your response. I have been around here for a while and have followed this thread and your progress. I don't post much though because of issues with my hands. My PN goes back two years even though all tests come back normal, including three EMG's. I just did a SFN biopsy and waiting for the results.

Anyway, congrats on your success. It is inspiring and gives me hope. I need that.

Hi Beatle..

Is your PN related to alcohol abuse? Just curious, good luck with your tests and progress. What you describe above sounds, to me , a little unusual for alcohol related PN.

Thanks for your response. I have been around for a while and have followed this thread and your progress, I do not post much however due to issues with my hands. My PN goes back two years even though all tests come back normal, including three EMG's. I just completed a SSFN biopsy and awaiting the results.

Anyway, congrats on your success. It is inspiring and gives me hope. I need that right now. Has anyone else experienced improvement with numbness? I would love to know.

I am not sure if it is AL related but I think it is. I drank heavily (nightly binge) for 10 years, developed HBP first and then a couple of years later, all of the classic PN symptoms came on in my fingers and toes, rather quickly and have increased over time to hands and feet, legs and arms and now I also get tingling in my spine, groin and even facial numbness and there are days I cannot walk (like yesterday).

I've been to three neuros and have had a lot of testing including gallons of blood work, lumbar puncture, EEG, three EMG's, and two MRI's (brain and cervical spine), optic nerve checked too. They started by looking for MS but my diagnosis is currently IPN. I am 44, male, 6', 155lbs, vegan diet for the past 15 years and I workout every day. I do everything right with regards to health, except for that 10 years of the binge drinking. In retrospect, I believe I could have suffered a vitamin deficiency (thiamine or B12) due to a combo of the the drinking, vegan diet and not properly supplementing but as my neuro says, "we may never know the cause".

Hey Beatle. I'm not a neurologist, but heavy binging + no meat will almost certainly have depleted your B12 for a longer period. As you probably know vegetarians/vegans should ideally supplement on B12 as the biggest source is meat (and organs). Combined with alcohol which flushes away the B12 it could certainly have lead to PN.

Do you currently take B12 and B1 supplements, and if so, which ones? There is quite a big difference in efficiency - most here would recommend the methylcobalamin version of B12 and the benfothiamine type of B1.

I know it could still be idiopathic, but you really don't need to be a neurologist to suspect B12 deficiency here. What did your test results say (if possible, the numbers, as most docs use outdated limits)?

You might still turn this around with proper supplements.

Thanks very much for your response. Now I can see how I should have supplemented back when I went vegan but at the time, it didn’t occur to me. It was more than a decade before I read something about alcohol depleting B-12 and realized I needed to take it. My PN symptoms came on quickly. One day I had numb tingling fingers and electric shocks in my hands. I went to the doctor and was told it was likely stress. But I knew that wasn’t right. I knew what stress felt like and this wasn’t it. I looked up my symptoms online and they pointed to PN. I remember thinking “at least my feet are not affected” and sure enough, within a few weeks I started to experience similar symptoms in my feet and it has just progressed since then.

I spend a lot of time waiting (mostly in bed) for the neuro visits and have educated myself about PN; something I had never heard of prior to my own experience. And I have been taking all of the support supplements for about 18 months now: B-12 (methylcobalamin), R-ALA, Benfotiamine, Metanx, Curcumin, Ubiquinol, Pantothenic Acid, D3, Biotin, fish oil.

Despite regularly taking all of the above, my symptoms have progressively gotten worse. I should also note that I no longer drink. I have had 4-6 drinks in the past two years and every time, I am stuck in bed for weeks with unbearable pain so it was pretty easy to give up but I am still in bed most of the time.

I need to communicate with others who know what I am going through. When I describe my symptoms to friends and family, I get a lot of raised eyebrows and confusion. It has been a lonely, painful, frustrating experience.

PN is scary
 

My PN is worse today. I have had no pain. I get numbness along the bottom of my feet.

I had 2 wines last night, I only wanted one, my friend ordered the other, I drank it, had one other day when I had 3-4. My body reacted. I can go for weeks without wine, do 2 a week or can drink 1/3 of a bottle. I don't think it matters how much or if one falls into the category of alcoholism. What matters is what this drug does to you.

I feel very encouraged that many have said their symptoms improved with giving up alcohol. Before I read that, my day started crazy. By mistake I made coffee with all caffenated putting me into hyper gear and my blood pressure up. I don't have high blood pressure, just with stimulants. Add on worry about the feet!! I did Reiki on myself, prayers. I was in tears. I really love wine, not to the extent of PN. I know sugar is so bad for you and inflammatory. wine is sugar. I have a cruise coming up, picturing myself drinking pomegrant juice instead of wine. Water with lemon is good.

I am very proud of all of you who have gone sober and are doing such a dynamic job of improving health. I actually don't like the feeling after 1 glass of wine. I am going to give it up. Can't say forever but just for today. Just for today I love to walk, do my food shopping and dance. These little, pretty feet are getting a pedicure tomorrow. Gotta treat these little piggies with love.

congrat.
 

I followed many of your posts. I am a retired addiction/psyc RN. You have done remarkably well. I am so happy for you. Good job.

icehouse
 

whoops, last post was supposed to be for icehouse

Thanks Leilad...!

alcoholic neuropathy
 

hi all, i've been lurking around alcoholic neuropathy threads for some time now. i would like to share my story with you.

i am 27 now and started to think i have alcohol induced neuropathy last December 2013. i couldn't gather the courage to go to the doctor because of shame. i am not alcoholic, i drink on occasion but i think my body is just too weak to handle the alcohol. i have alcoholic friends but i don't go with them every time they have their "drinking sessions". their bodies can handle it, i can tell. they can drink as much as they want without having some sort of condition like what i have. i started drinking when i was 17, in college, there were years that i would drink on occasion and there were years that i would drink maximum 4 times a month. i stopped drinking again the moment i knew i was pregnant 3 years ago. up until 2 years after because i was breastfeeding. it was only last year that I started drinking again.

one night, me and my friends drank too much beer. we finished at around 2am. came 4am, i got this really bad pain on my right leg only i couldn't move my leg. i couldn't explain the pain. i couldn't forget that night, i was crying in pain. my right leg was numb. i couldn't sleep again, i asked husband to get hot and cold compress but it didn't help, i didn't know what medicine to take because i get allergies on certain pain relievers. the pain traveled to my right arm, but the pain on my right arm was not as much painful as it is on my right leg. i cried for 2 hours until i realized it was morning already.

the next day i searched and started googling and reading threads. thanks to that night and to google and neurotalk, i discovered i have alcoholic neuropathy. i immediately bought over the counter supplements available in our country. B-Complex (with 1000mg b12, took it twice a day) and multivitamins. and then i started ordering supplements on amazon, yes, without even consulting a doctor (haha, my bad) right now i am on these supplements, they just arrived last week:

Nature's Plus Iron 1x a day first thing in the morning
B-Right 1x a day after breakfast
Doctor's Best Benfothiamine 300mg, Jarrow Methyl B12 1000mg, Potassium 99mg, Folate 800mg - all after lunch
Ascenta NutraSea Balanced EPA & DHA Omega 3 Supplement with Vitamin D - 2x after dinner

my question is, should i be worried that I didn't even see a doctor before taking these supplements? i think i am experiencing some side effects - nausea / dizziness / light headedness (but i can handle it). where could these possibly come from? is there something wrong with the timing of the medicines that i am taking?

to add also, it is only after researching that i realized i have also been experiencing usual short term memory loss. for example i remember i have to search for something, after a couple of seconds, i would forget what it is, and then after a couple of minutes, i would try hard to remember what it is. i don't know if this is because of neuropathy or simple momnesia, haha i was induced with anesthesia when i gave birth. i remember also experiencing very slight tingling / numbness on one leg way back when i used to drink often. there were nights when i will drink too much and then the numbness/tingling will occur, i used to think it would be rheumatism or gout, or just because it was too cold. i didn't take anything because the pain didn't bother me.

also, i have been on birth control pills for two months already when "that" night happened. i've read somewhere that pills plus alcohol can weaken the immune system? maybe that is why the pain happened? to add up also my nutritional deficiency, i am very thin and not very often take vitamins until that night happened, everyone says i'm thin and that i should start taking vitamins to get chubbier. i am also starting to think that i might have a disease that won't let my body absorb the vitamins i am taking (haha)

any inputs are really appreciated. even my husband thinks i am crazy for not seeing a doctor. also, i have been sober and stopped taking the pills since that night.

Well.... birth control tablets in some women cause blood clots.

Do you smoke? Smokers have higher risks for clots when using birth control tablets.

Did you have nitrous oxide as an anesthesia? If so and you were marginal to begin with you could have interferred with B12 metabolism.

So when taking your supplements with B12 in them, be sure to take on an empty stomach... as B12 is not absorbed much at all if any with food present.

The supplements should not cause dizziness. That can be a sign of TIAs in the brain. So I would go to a doctor and get evaluated for that and/or blood clotting disorders. It might be safer if you didn't take birth control tablets. But that should be a topic for you to discuss with your doctor.

Yes i forgot to mention that i do smoke. There were times that i used to smoke daily and there were times that i smoked only occasion and then there were times that i stopped. Maximum sticks 3x a day when i smoked often.

I really did not know what type of anesthesia was induced, as i was not able to speak directly with my doctor after i gave birth. A different doctor checked on me and i did not bother to ask also regarding the history. It was injected thru my veins and i slept the whole time. The next thing i know my baby was already out.

Another question about b12, it says on the bottle to take it with food. I wonder why? Will change timing of b12 from now on.

What are TIAs? Yes I was really hesitant to take those pills, that was not my first time. I took another brand 5 years ago and did not like the side effects it had on me. I am really glad that that night happened because if not, I wouldn't know that what I was taking was bad for me.

If it is also helpful, i also have chronic gerd / hyperacidity. I am thinking that the nausea might be because of the supplements because it usually happens in the afternoon after i take my after lunch meds. Nausea happens usually while travelling, and then when I get to burp because of the hyperacidity the nausea will lessen. Do any of these meds cause hyperacidity in the stomach? Also, should I see a neurologist directly? I wonder what the doctor will think if he knew i was already taking these meds without even consulting.

Most vitamins can be taken with food. B12 is the exception because it is used in microgram amounts...and often lost in food.

Manufacturers which produce combined products usually put the food suggestion on there.

It is best therefore to take a B12 supplement by itself separately so you can control it better, for optimum results.

Nitrous oxide is an inhaled anesthetic used in childbirth and dentristry. It is not injected, but would be inhaled via a mask of some sort.

TIA is transient ischemic attack in the brain... a warning sign of a stroke. Dizziness, numbness, weakness, in a limb or part of the face, is a sign of TIAs. Young women may have strokes when using the hormones in birth control pills. This risk is increased with smoking and in those with genetic tendencies to fast blood clotting.

Vitamins are not likely to cause a stroke. But birth controls pills may.
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STR...3_Article.jsp#

As an aside: it would be best to have a blood panel when taking iron supplements. Hemochromatosis is a rather common genetical condition, and if present is dangerous if you supplement on iron. Chances are slim you have that, but it really pays to be sure.

Whew..good to know all of these information..would it still be possible to have these TIAs even if i have stopped taking the pills and smoking a month ago? I am kind of confused and i hope starting the b12 regimen was the right thing to do. I am hoping to see the doctor soon.

When i was pregnant my doctor prescribed me 2 kinds of iron supplements, took everything 4 times a day. My iron levels were marginal and she couldn't get my iron levels on the levels she wanted. And anemia runs in the family. But i will remember to take these iron supplements for 3 months only and then stop for a while and take them again.

If you are low in B12, all the iron in the world will not make it into new cells. B12 aids in the formation of the blood cells themselves.

I would ask for a B12 test, ASAP and bring your numbers and letters here. The lab ranges for B12 have not been changed to reflect new treatment guidelines. 400pg/ml is the new acceptable low. If you are below that then you may have neurological and finally anemia symptoms.

Iron needs acid to be absorbed. So take your iron with orange juice. If you take daily acid blocking drugs, you can be low in iron, zinc, magnesium, B12, folate, and calcium.

Since you recently had a child, I'd also take some fish oil to replace EFAs the baby took from you, and also have a Vit D test, to see if your Vit D is low as well.

Stop taking any vitamins 5 days before any further testing.
The ranges on the test results were not designed to reflect vitamin intakes from supplements. So false highs will report and you won't know your real readings.

A month ago I inquired with a nearby hospital on the b12 test. It costs 290usd converted from Philippine peso. I don't know why it's so expensive here maybe it is not common among the tests hospitals use here. I probably cannot afford that for a single test, the vit d test i can.

That was my earlier guess after all of the research i've done. i am low on b12 that was why my doctor could not get the iron levels that she wanted. Made me more eager to start the regimen asap. Right now i am not taking any acid blocking drugs. But i think i will have to soon. Hyperacidity attacks more often now. I am thinking that is where i get the nausea, from my hyperacidity attacks. I only get nauseous while travelling and when i feel the acid has finally digested, the nausea is gone. But i am also a bit worried that it may be TIAs. I would have to observe my body more.

So.. just a thought. This may not be alcoholic neuropathy? What i've experienced? It may be because of the birth control pills and smoking taken together? Which caused the stroke/blood clotting that night?

My younger sister also experienced the same thing, more than 3 years ago. the attack/pain on one side of the body only. So this might be hereditary. The doctor only told her to take antibiotics for a year! She took amoxcicillin for 4months only and did several tests. The doctor did not find anything low or too high on her blood levels. I think the diagnosis was rheumatic heart disease? The attack did not happen again. She was not taking any birth control pills and does not smoke and do not drink often.

I'm sorry the diagnosis is rheumatic heart fever not disease

943 days sober.

Feeling great! Been in Florida for a week on business and I have to walk a LOT! 50+ grocery stores I have had to visit plus all the walking in malls and strip malls too.

Sobriety. Vitamins. Accountability. Keeping mind occupied.

check out celiac disease....good luck.

Very sorry to hear, Beatle. As like you, I too have numbness in the hands and the feet that have yet to be show any signs of warmth or getting better anytime soon. It's very frustrating, but I haven't given hope.

I haven't had a drink for 14 months, and I've taken a lot of the supplements everyone else has been taking (though on and off, as I think it has attribute to some weight loss, in which I'm already too skinny for)

CoQ10 seems to be the only missing ingredient in my supplement intake, as I get rashy when taking it. I may have an allergic reaction to it.

The body is amazing and I do believe there will be a way to turn this around.

lots of guessing
 

I think it is a good idea to see your PCP. Take his or her advice about a neurologist. Best for you to give up any cigs and not drink. Both cause so many physical issues. Don't feel embarrassed, just go and be truthful. Assuming is more stressful than the truth. There are a lot of very educated people here on this site that will support you. I am on the holistic side, on no meds, but there is a place for our docs. I am concerned.

7 months--210 days Report.
 

I have no 'stabbing pains' at all and haven't for the past month. The numbness and other abnormal feelings in my feet and lower legs are about the same as a month ago--a bother but fortunately don't interfere much with daily life. I don't think of booze much and generally feel great about that.

Icehouse--Congrats on your continued successes!! Sounds like you are getting a work out in your job.

Kid Wonder--Are you sure your PN is alcohol related? Dr. Wise Young (you can google him) has the view that if neuropathy doesn't reverse, at least to some extent, then it isn't alcohol related. You may just need more time. The studies that I have seen (and I will find a link to them again) show the rather impressive results of people who have been sober for 2-3 years.

Also, I don't know that everyone shares Dr. Wise's views, but he is an expert and was Christopher Reeves neurosurgeon and came to prominence consulting him when he was disabled.

Newstown, it definitely is alcohol related. I was binge drinking heavily on weekends.

I do see improvement, I couldn't pick up a quarter a year ago, I've got a lot of the feeling back in my hands and foot, but the hands and feet being constantly cold is my main problem. I'm starting to think my PN is getting better, but something else is the culprit along with PN...

974 days sober.

Feeling great and just got back from a 5 day trip to Asheville, NC including a long hike through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Waterfalls, trails, etc....

Starting running this week too, on a treadmill to start.

No pain, just sore from all the exercise!

No looking back now!!!

It is inspiring to read your posts! You have come a long long way!

Thanks mrsD! I am quite proud of myself :D

Nice one I. ! :cool: