Great message. Love the "convert fear into action".

I see a common thread forming here. I am also an IT guy (but now I work in housing) with a B. Sc. in programming and design. I still do IT work at my current job but it't mostly networking and trouble shooting :)

Hey grifter, I am no expert at all, certainly not as knowledgeable as others on here, but I am going through something similar so thought I would share my experience.

I too am a hypochondriac, and it causes me much anxiety. Mine all started about 9 months ago, I noticed being a bit shaky, some back pain, and legs more sore than normal from minimal exercise. I didn't think much of it and kept going about my business (ie drinking fairly heavy - 3 or 4 times a week). Then about 4 months after a bender with a college buddy I started noticing being more shaky and tingling all over my body. The tingling only lasted like a day, but would come and go, started getting some fasciculations in my calves mostly, but randomly as well in other parts of my body. So I shut the booze down mostly, maybe a few glasses of wine with dinner here and there and decided to consult a neurologist.

I went in and he gave me a full neuro exam which is basically testing for all all of your senses, touch, pain, temperature. Then they do strength tests on all of your limbs as I think some more serious disorders begin with weakness in the limbs. Then you walk down the hallway normal, on your heels and toes, the doctor is looking at your gait, again to assess any other potential neurological issues. Since they found nothing wrong in the physical exam they sent me for an EMG test.

An EMG basically tests nerve function, and is really 2 parts, the EMG and an NCS. The NCS is a nerve conduction study where they put electrodes on your arms and legs and shock you a bit to test the speed the electricity is moving through your nerves. The EMG part is a bit more uncomfortable as they put accupuncture like needles in your muscles and have you flex and read the electricity in your muscles. Both tests are looking for any deterioration in nerve function which alocohol neuropathy generally causes, but is sometimes hard to detect.

In my case, he said based on my EMG, and because my symptoms were not textbook for neuropathy (ie pain/tingling in toes/feet, that moved to my legs and hands), he said just to monitor any progression and come back in 6 months to 1 year. We went back and forth a good bit about alcohol, etc and all he said was take it easy on the alcohol as it can cause long term damage and other issues, but he didn't think my current issues are alcohol related. Apparently there are tons of benign reasons for all of these symptoms, very frustrating.

Further, about a month ago I started getting a twitch in my right ring finger. Interestingly my legs feel much better, but hands and arms are worse. I emailed my doctor as I was nervous about more serious neuro disorders and he said not to worry that something like that, again, can be caused by many benign things, but if it would make me feel better to come back in for another physical exam. I might do that next month for piece of mind.

Another thing, I had shingles 3 months ago, and viruses like that can cause these neuropathic symptoms apparently.

Sorry for the long response, but hopefully it gives you some idea of the process. Unfortunately all of these things are super hard to diagnose, but if you find a good neurologist that you like and can talk to, they can be very helpful in helping you find the cause for your issues, or at least put your mind more at ease. I am still freaking out I have something way more serious (probably unnecessarily), but it is nice to have a dr that listens and responds to my paranoia.

Hope that helps.

3075 days sober

Well, it was quite the year, 2019 that is. Bought and sold an 1880 house, promotion at work, got married, and traveled to 3 different Countries for pleasure!

We break ground on our new house (with a mountain view) in a couple weeks and I am starting up another "recovery" group here in Virginia.

Here is to 2020! <clinks glass of soda>

But, overall I feel great, I still have sporadic bouts with balance and I am still thinking about that whole running thing. My wife runs often and I think I may have to succumb to peer-pressure soon....yikes!

Tell her one of the key things you learned about staying sober is completely resisting peer pressure! ;)


Sounds like 2019 was a good one though, and HNY, may this year be at least as good.

Congrats on an awesome year! Super inspiring.

I have been running a mile most mornings. It's become fairly natural to get it in, I dont experience much discomfort doing it. Just numbness down there, and I have to be careful with where my foot lands to avoid falls but I really enjoy it. It was 65 degrees here last Sunday, and I ended up getting 6 miles in. Granted it was super slow, I can't believe it actually happened. The longest I had done prior was 2 miles. For me what has been important is just doing what I feel comfortable and slowly adding little by little.

3107 days sober!

Just got back from a weekend at the beach. Walked about 3 miles on the sand and that was a workout in itself!

I have come to a plateau in recovery I believe, I am not getting any better or worse. Perhaps when the new house is finished I will get one of those funky elliptical things and see if that helps any....

70F (21C) today and I am heading to the river for lunch!

I think you are right that there is a time when there is no more progress, I have been noticing the same. I was gonna say "wow" @ the sand walking, but then I remembered I did pretty similar in the summer of 2018 in Italy. I was pretty relaxed back then (stress still has a huge impact on my pain levels), and the walking was pretty painless.


Anyway, not much to report, will be 2800 days next week. I will be going on a trip to Africa (Kenya) next month - if the corona virus doesn't mess things up, but I think it won't - with lots of travelling & trips. I have to admit I'm nervous about my feet holding up, but then again I think the reward will be worth it.

If you had asked me in 2012, I don't think "travelling to Kenya" would have been something I could imagine doing, but here we are.


Finally: for the folks who are still in doubt about their drinking, I'm currently reading this book from Prof. David Nutt, called "Drink?" It's pretty sobering (pun might be intended) as it lays out everything that happens when you a) drink and b) have a hangover. It's a pretty scary read, and before you think he needs to loosen up: he is a big proponent of THC, mushrooms, and even LSD used in the right way (could cure depression and PTSD...), so no, he's not "anti drugs" at all cost.


Anyway, even if you don't believe him (that alcohol is by far the worst drug humans ever invented), it's still a very interesting read, also with good tips for people who do NOT want to stop drinking.

Can't edit previous message anymore, but if you prefer video instead of reading, here is a 2 part, 90 minute interview where he explains most of what he wrote in this book. :)

DAVID NUTT - DRINK? Why Alcohol Is The Most Damaging Drug In The World - Part 1/2 | London Real - YouTube

3135 days sober..

Not much to report this month. Work, build house and weekend trips...

Spent a weekend in Washington DC, at the Museum of the Bible, and it was 6 floors of exhibits which, after an eight hour day, felt like MILES of walking.

Good thing the hotel had a hot tub!!