I have small fiber neuropathy and my docs are trying to determine whether the cause is alcohol or impaired glucose tolerance. For three years I drank two and sometimes three glasses of red wine a day. Is this enough to cause neuropathy does anyone know? Also, are there any members of this forum who have recovered from ETOH-induced neuropathy? If so, how long did it take?

If people believe alcohol is a culprit, a trial of thiamine B1 may be helpful. Some people have dehydrogenase enzyme errors, which allow aldehydes to build up in the body.(poor alcohol metabolism)

There is a more efficient form of thiamine now, called Benfotiamine. It has been used in PN for many years now and has come down in price. Typically 300mg a day to start, and you may reduce to 150mg after some progress if it works.
Many of us use iherb.com for our supplements. Benfotiamine is typically not available in stores locally.
example:
http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-B...e-Caps/42?at=0


The plain old thiamine is less expensive, but it is eliminated from the body quickly. 300mg a day in divided doses, may show you some improvement. Try this for a month and see what happens. You should feel some improvement to clue you to continue.

could 2 drinks of light beer make my feet burn like this really!I hope I'm in the right place to post this as i'm new.But your message got me wondering if this could be part of my foot problem.

It could depending on your genetics. Some people do not metabolize alcohol well.

Some people with PN can have occasional drinks, and other can't...it is all very personally determined in the body.

Nice info mrsD, thanks.

Alcohol is exactly the reason I am here. I have developed slight numbness in the front of my feet and numbness along the area that the Ulnar nerve deals with.

I have since stopped drinking and I am awaiting my methycobalmin arriving so that I can start taking it with bonfotiamine on Monday.

I will keep this thread posted on my results.

Well I am back 7 weeks later, and what an improvement!

When I last saw the 'hand specialist' they wanted to see if they could rush me into surgery because very soon I would not be able to make a fist.

I had never even thought of this (I am a lover not a fighter! ) and it took ages for me to make a VERY weak fist. When I managed to make it, my medial nerve screamed out in agony.

Well last night I tried again... holey moley - what a change! Straight into a tight fist you could hit a punch bag with, (and my wee pinky finger moved with all the rest into a tight ball)

My medial nerve didn't even blink an eye!

Tomorrow I have been invited to answer questions at the 'The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh' as well! Scary stuff!

Long may it continue... more updates along the way! w00tage.

I know I have hijacked this thread, would you like me to start a separate one?

Quick update, if this gives anyone a bit more hope....

Since the last post the fingers in my left hand are now starting to straighten on their own and the feeling is coming back.

My right that was completely numb down one side but now has COMPLETELY regenerated it's nerves and it 100% good as new!

I couldn't believe it, bear in mind I have had no surgery to either arm yet!

Methycobalamin and Benfotiamine are miracle workers. I have to stay away from alcohol though as that reverses all the good progress in the blink of an eye.

The long and short of it is that I was pretty depressed about it originally, but now I feel feel positive and I am not just going to lye down and take a beating.

Keep positive folks and have faith in your bodies ability to heal.

What is "PN"?

Peripheral Neuropathy

Right, thanks.