I'm in a situation that my neuropathy gets so bad when alcohol free but as soon as I drink it masks it to a certain degree.

I absolutely know I have to quit but it's literally the only thing that takes the edge and numbness and pain.

I'm at a loss what to do.

I have been off alcohol for nearly 9 months--alcohol was not the cause of my neuropathy, but obviously is a neurotoxin so I stopped. All I can say is what has help me is chewing gum(!) and getting fit!

Have you thought of trying naltrexone? Surely for you it must be paramount to stop drinking and you should find any assistance you can get.

In some ways you are in a reasonable position as there is actually something you can do about your neuropathy--even perhaps heal (some of) it.

You should discuss with your consultant use of naltrexone or other (medical) means of getting you off alcohol so you can turn your life around, and take meds for the pain.

Just my twopence.

Thank you for your response, nice to have guidance less the judgement.

I haven't seeked medical help for alcohol but it's something I have to do, terrified of it.

Again I appreciate the feedback.

Hi Emes,
There is a wealth of helpful and knowledgeable information on one of the other forums here as well.

https://www.neurotalk.org/alcoholism...-and-recovery/

Do check out the Vitamin "Sticky" thread at the top of this PN forum as well

STICKY - The Vitamin B12 Thread:

There are nutrients that are particularly helpful in your situation to aid recovery and I'm sure that others will have valuable input about those.

It's also good to use the Search feature at the top of the forum. You can type in keywords and find older posts more easily.

All the best to you over there in the west,
Lara

Hey Emes,

I have a history of alcohol induced Peripheral Neuropathy. I understand totally the crazy logic of drinking to numb the pain when the drinking causes the pain. But you already know that it is crazy logic. If you had a friend in your position you wouldn't give that person alcohol. It would be unkind and you have to be kind to yourself.

For me I eventually worked out that I had to stop drinking. The drink to numb the pain thing turned out, for me at least, to be a self pitying lie. It was an excuse to drink. What I actually yearned for was the escapism that alcohol brought. It made me feel, all to briefly like my old self, the guy who didn't suffer from PN and I yearned to be that guy.

Alcohol is neurotoxic. I see it as a poison. The pain reminds me. You can use the pain you experience as a motivator to stop drinking. It only takes a small shift in attitude to do this. For me once I stopped drinking the pain got worse for a short time, but then it slowly got better. I cannot tell you enough about the joy of getting better. Focus everything on that. This forum can help you.

Best wishes,

Atty.