I've have peripheral neuropathy for five years and its getting more painful. I've seen two neurologists recently, one who told me I had to absolutely, positively stop drinking altogether. The other said that a couple of glasses of wine once or twice a week was OK. Does anyone out there have the answer? I do enjoy a glass. If I didn't I'd just follow the first guy's advice. THanks.

I don't' know about the PN part of it but if you only have a glass of wine a few times a week, I don't know why the doctor was concerned.

unless he is totally against drinking completely, or thinks most patients drink more than they admit to....

I think he believes that alcohol is a neuro toxin. The issue, I suppose, is the level at which it's a problem for existing PN.

There is always the option of stopping for a few weeks or so and see if anything changes PN wise??

This would seem pretty reasonable, which is why I might not have thought of doing it! Kind of an IQ test! I guess one could expect to see a result in a few weeks if any was to be seen. I've give up drinking before, for much longer periods. Thanks for this sensible suggestion. I'll do it.

If abstinance has a positive effect, I'll have something interesting to post.

I used to date a woman who was a drug/alcohol counselor at the VA center, and she told me it is safe to assume everybody lies, and they automatically double whatever amount the patient tells them. And I have found that this is common for counselors no matter where they work.

And as an ex-heavy drinker I'd say that's probably accurate. Doctors have asked me over the years and I always shaded the answer, and I'm a pretty honest guy normally.

I quit drinking 6 months ago because of PN and B12 def., most likely caused by alcohol AND from antacids I used to down like candy. No booze, no heartburn.

I wonder how many Doctors are closet alcoholics ...

I wonder how many relationship ...... umm experts (you know write books and such) are on their 5th rocky marriage ...

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I watched a Doctor write *** TOBACCO ABUSE *** *** TOBACCO ABUSE *** ... all over my medical records.

I wonder how many Doctors smoke ....

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We are our own best keeper.

While I suspect that it is true that the people spoken to by drug and alcohol counsellors tell a few porkies about how much they drink, it doesn't stand to reason that the rest of the population automatically lies.

Personally I would like to drink rather more than I do, as I tend to forget about alcohol then am pleasantly surprised when I do have the occaisional drink and wonder why I don't do so more often (my last glass of wine was about 10 days ago at a Thai resturant). Actually I can go weeks/months between drinks very easily. Doesn't mean that I don't have all sort of other vices, I am an ex smoker, but alcohol and I have obviously never really developed much of a relationship.

Over eaters tend to under report how much they eat, over drinkers ditto, but some of us (like me ) are just plain weird.

cheers

raglet

btw, if you enjoy the odd drink then I personally wouldn't give it up. It's like me and milk - my doctor tested me and I am allergic to milk, but honestly, I'd rather have the asthma then give up all that gorgeous cheese. The moral of the story is never be tested for allergy to something you are not prepared to give up

You're right, I should have been more specific -- the people my GF saw, or people that most counselors see, are problem drinkers and realize it deep down. Although drinking didn't cause me personal problems, I knew I drank a lot more than I should so that's probably why I shaded my answers.

The average person, the true social drinker, has no reason to lie.

But they do.
Alcohol will cause demyleination of the myelin nerve sheath, it just depends how severe your case will be.
If I have a glass or two of wine (or beer), my feet tell me within a few hours. They burn and ache.
If you do not have any negative s/e at all - probably its OK to have an occasional glass.
If you do get negative s/e - hey ! Yer body's telling you something.