Thanks. I think I am on the right track now. I started doing exercise since day1 of not drinking; Now I do biking 200kms a week, ocassinaly swim and try to walk if possible anywhere. I feel better and better. Actually I wanted to help others telling them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This terrible state can be improved and also cured. I was really desperate, almost suicidal a few months ago.

Your journey is similar to mine. It's amazing how PN can take over the body...but time, vitamins, a good diet and a little exercise does make a huge difference!

I got my life back...and it looks like you did too. Proud of you!

Psst....11 years sober today.

That is all.

Great IceHouse. I go only 237 days without alcohol. I miss it less and less. I would still drink an occasional bear after biking or a glass of wine with my friends, but the advantages are far more of not drinking.

I also had muscle stiffness after doing exercise, now I don't have it anymore. In the past days I felt a little numb on the lower part of my leg, but only on the surface, that was all.

Would you list your remaining symptoms if you don't mind, I know where you started from, as I read most of this thread, but if you can refresh it, I would appreciate it.

Leg weakness at times, I no longer have any tingling or numbness and I still can't run. If I attempt to jog I look like a drunken sailor...

That's about it.

I am curious, has anyone else who peruses this specific thread had their symptoms flare after covid?

I realize that could be a pretty small sample from those of us who actively read/use this thread, but thought I would see if anyone else may have had a correlation there.

You mean after actually having COVID or suffering from the all the social side-effects of this ridiculous lockdown?

I actually felt almost symptom free when I got the jab and that sent me to bed for 2-3 days, but the PN was gone. I felt like ****, but even that was better than PN. Now most of my symptoms are gone. Today for example I was symptom free. I have had COVID before PN, so I cannot refer to that.

I am happy that you don't have tingling and numbness, especially knowing that they come and go with this nightmare any times they want.

I cannot run either, but because I am operated with a lumbar fusion, so even if I can do that, it is not fun. I can live without jogging, I never liked it anyway. Only used run after leaving public transport. I can ride a horse and bike, walk and hike and I am so happy. I thought I would loose those forever, but I got them back! I got my life back. I am a "man" again after 3 months of trying to redefine my reality looking at women without any attraction. In retrospect it was an interesting experiment, but experiencing it was not fun.

So after 11 years this is what you have left. It seems like you have gone a little further, than I did. Still it is amazing how you could restore your health to an acceptable level. The key is to learn to live with what we have. The healing capacity of our body combined with a strong will is miraculous, so I hope you will still improve.

It's all been quite depressing. I thought I was making a bit of progress as most of my pain in legs and feet is gone and only the pins and needles but now I realize it is because and feet and lower legs are just numb and nerves are dead. I only have pain remaining in my left hand but my finger tips are completely numb too. My head never cleared and I am still in a fog with bouts of dizziness. I never came close to suicide but I sure thought about it much, not that I wanted to die but I just didn't want to live, especially like a cripple and the self hatred of knowing I did it to myself. Through it all I never craved a drink but rather cursed it. Anyway, I finally reached out for help and although I did not mention the neuropathy or alcoholism as it is all too embarrassing and humiliating so rather I just said that I was very depressed and anxious due to life and all the **** thrown at me that I can't control. I was put on EFFEXOR, felt like total ****, dose dropped down and still felt like death with horrific ringing in my ear so I took myself off. F that. I recently picked myself back up, started "walking" if that is what you can even call it, and started eating better. I just called a podiatrist who does the laser treatments and am set up for a consult for that. I was surprised that it was quite reasonable. If you pay upfront for six sessions they are only $40 a piece. Even on my below poverty income I can try to save up for. It is suppose to help with neuropathy pain, which I no longer have, but also circulation which def might help me. If I progress even the slightest I will be in wheelchair.
I really don't have much hope but perhaps I can at least stabilize? Ugh, and I still have that crazy buzzing in my ears that is making me insane! Oh lord, please tell me this is not permanent. I was reading up on the drug and apparently sometimes it goes away and sometimes not. It is a rare side effect but it happen and the way everything goes in my world I should have guessed I would be that 1 in a 100. 😢