Good day to everyone. I have been lurking here since last October taking in information. My situation with PN is a bit different and I've finally built up enough nerve to share it here with the hope of getting some input.

In 2008 I lost my job to the economic down turn in the housing industry. At the same time my father who suffered from Alzheimer’s began to decline dramatically and I started helping my mother with him. I became very depressed and started drinking heavily. Last year my father died in February and I basically went off the deep end drinking even more.

In early April I quit drinking and went through a fairly severe week long withdrawal. In May I got severely depressed again and went on a week long drinking binge. I woke up at 6:00 am in the morning with my legs shaking uncontrollably and very disoriented in withdrawal. I went to the ER, was admitted, stabilized and released two days later.

On the day I was released I noticed that my feet felt swollen and tingly. I didn't know anything about PN at the time. As days passed my feet began to hurt and ache. Felt like huge bee stings in the balls of my feet. Walking became painful as if walking on spikes. My toes began to swell with dysthesia, paresthesia and pain. One toe actually disfigured. I developed severe " knots / lumps " in the balls of both feet.

I went to a podiatrist in July and he suggested metatarsalgia which I now know is absurd and injected one toe joint on both feet. No results.

I didn't drink anything for three months, the condition persisted and got worse. During this time I also started researching foot pain and discovered that my symptoms corresponded to PN / nerve damage.

In August I tried acupuncture for a month without results.

In October I tried another podiatrist and he grasped what I was dealing with. He prescribed Diclofenac and injected the worst of the " knots " / capsulitis sites in both feet. I did see and feel some relief over the next month. The swelling in two toes went away and the knots of those metatarsal joints dissipated as well.

I began taking B1 and B12 in late October after reading this board. I also got rid of all my old shoes and replaced them.

In November I was in to see my GP for bronchitis and mentioned my feet. He immediately made the obvious neurological connection and suggested medication for the pain. He had me stop the diclofenac and prescribed Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Celebrex and Gabapentin.

Three weeks later I didn't have any results so discontinued Celebrex and Gabapentin and started Indomethacin and Lyrica with the Wellbutrin and Lexapro. A Vitamin B12 test returned normal at 490 PC.

In mid February discontinued Indomethacin and Lyrica due to weight gain, ringing ears, numb / cold hands. Doctor prescribed Amitryptaline and continue Wellbutrin and Lexapro. Thyroid test and blood panel returned normal.

In two weeks discontinued Amitryptaline due to intolerance. Prescribed Desipramine. One week discontinued Desipramine due to intolerance.

End of February I discontinued Lexapro and Wellbutrin due to perceived autonomic neuropathy symptoms with urination, sexual dysfunction, etc.. My advice re meds like Neurontin and Lyrica from recent experience - don't do it.

Currently my feet feel like walking on rocks and damaged bones with burning and pain. Burning and pain continues at rest. I have one toe that is now disfigured and “ hammered “. Difficulty sleeping and functioning. Instability when walking.

No response to ice, acupuncture, new shoes and socks, DMSO or Capsaicin, very limited response in pain relief to medications. Slight temporary relief from massage, stretching toes, legs and feet. Warm salts soaking feels good, but no real relief.

I had shots in both feet last week to try to get rid of the remaining three " knots " that I have, so right now my feet are really screwed up with paresthesia and more pain than normal. If I can get rid of these knots and swelling at least I will be able to walk better.

So there's my situation. I never had any symptoms of classic alcoholic neuropathy prior to May of 2010. The onset of this happened two days after my withdrawal episode overnight.

There's maybe more to the situation related to a reactive arthritic condition that I developed in the summer of 2007 and a foot surgery in October 2008, but I'll leave it here for now. I feel like the withdrawal episode is what caused my current condition.

FYI I am 51 Caucasian male, 6'3", 235#, blood pressure 120 / 75, decent diet, excellent health up till 2007. Take the following supplements:

Benfotiamine
Methylcobalamin
Folic Acid
B-6
B-Complex
Magnesium
Fish Oil
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Multi-vitamin

Yes I do drink some again and yes I know it's stupid. Not excessively, no hard spirits and not all the time. If you want to bash me for it you'll have to stand in line behind me.

I am still unemployed as I’m not even sure if I can function working with my feet like this, no health insurance and no resources for neurologists, tests and such. The expensive medications I mentioned were all given to me by the doctor.

Any constructive input is welcome please. Thank you - you folks have a very positive community here.