Alcohol and stuff
 

If suspecting alcohol as the culprit for neuropathy symptoms, should stopping alcohol ingestion cease progression? Sober day 11...not easy. Thanks.

Cease progression....I think so, but what about withdrawals...I know it's not easy...but I'm sure you are helping your nerve symptoms and wonder what are you doing for your sobriety....is this cold turkey? Someone helping you?? Sorry I haven't read your other posts....:grouphug:

I feel better after day 3. Physical symptoms are gone as far as nausea and feeling lightheaded. I'm wondering if the neuropathy symptoms are more pronounced now that alcohol is out of the equation, perhaps being there for the past few weeks, yet not really detected as much?

As far as sobriety, I'm reading some books and that's about it. I feel my desire to quit is easier based upon my physical neuropathic symptoms and wishing to be well and further stop any progression. I've been through several tests and blood work to rule out other etiologies...all to no avail, therefore leading me to what I feel is likely causative...alcohol intake.

Initially symptoms were confined to hands and arms, more so in the right with associated shoulder and subclavicular pain leading me towards Thoracic Outlet. This was discussed with respected Chiro and PT and thought to be a problem. But, when symptoms started in my feet and legs a few weeks ago, I started concerning myself with other causes. Perhaps I have both?? Who knows. Frustrating is the right word I'm looking for. I'm otherwise healthy without any medical problems in the past. I've been very active throughout my life and look the part of a healthy athlete per say.

When my nerve damage started spreading, I used to have a couple of 'drinks' in the evening. It 'helped' but symptoms where still there...so I (my opinion based on me, not a doctor etc), guess you will feel more nerve pain.
I come from an alcoholic family, both sides, so in the back of my mind I was always afraid of addiction; but I never had a problem; I can take it or leave it....I started Low dose Naltrexone for my nerves; and large doses are to help people to stop addiction so I never picked up a drink again.
Kudos to you for you efforts; don't beat yourself up IF you cheat here and there....:grouphug:

I am not sure about "ceasing", as the damage to nerves can be permanent, and the repair process is SLOW. But, one thing for sure is that by stopping the ingestion of alcohol is the best thing you can do for your body at this point.

Cold turkey is HARD, better to quit slowly if you can, attend some meetings if you feel so inclined, and try to be accountable to a sober friend.

I guess what I meant in simpler terms, from what I keep reading, is that stopping alcohol would stop further deterioration if it is indeed the causative factor. With that being said, I'm at the bottom of the barrel here. I've read through posts and threads looking for something to hang onto, but ultimately I feel I'm stuck with this. What a great feeling to know your selfish alcohol drinking behavior has destroyed your body. I take responsibility for that, as gut wrenching as it seems. Not drinking right now is all I have. I'm not opposed to meetings and will do what it takes. Thanks for the kind responses. Day 12.

Bobby,

There ARE people who improve, there are Members over the years who have disappeared - who is to say they have not improved so much they no longer need the support offered by the Members here.

I stopped Cold in 1990, not addicted, I drank A LOT with no physical effects every day for years. So I had no cravings, it was environment, circumstance and especially mental illness. It was the right thing to do, I hope you see it is the right thing for your health.

Who is to say next year a new treatment doesn't appear for Neurological Damage?

You have the right attitude to beat everything Life throws at you, keep strong.

Dave.

Bobby, congratulations on deciding to stop drinking.

I did the same (I was psychologically, not physically addicted) a few years ago and in my experience it does get easier with time. I feel much better now and I hope that you will as well.

I had mild neuropathy in my hands which went away after a few months. If yours doesn't then a chat with your doctor would be a good idea.

All the best.

Hold up a second, you can't beat yourself up too much over this....day 12 you are trying, Kudos...you had your reasons to start; It's what you are doing now.
Remember when there was a generation who ran around in the sun w/o sunscreen and SOME have skin cancer....and who knows, maybe alcohol induced nerve damage caused your damage but you knowledge is very much appreciated your experience is welcomed here....:grouphug:

I certainly appreciate the replies. One thing for certain is that I cannot change what has happened, however I can change with the choice to drink or not. I believe I'm going to look into some methods/tools to help stay sober. Day 14.

Yup yup...Kudos

Bobby, as far as tools are concerned, one thing which helped me was the "one day at a time" approach.

By that I mean that if I got urges to drink I would say to myself "Tomorrow you can get drunk. But, not today, today you will be sober."

I repeated that the next day and the next day and the next day..., until the urges subsided (which they do).

That helped me and I hope that it will help you as well.

HA! I did the same thing. I would wake up and look at the counter on my phone and say. "Wow, <insert real name>, you made it one more day. Get through till midnight or you will have to reset that counter."

alcoholism
 

Bobby,
My name is Fred. I quit drinking 48 years ago. I was a member of AA for a long time. I want to put in my 2 cents worth on your discussion.
I think you need to see a neurologist about your pain. In all the years that I was around alcoholism, I don't remember that type of pain associated with alcoholism. All of the group here may not care for this suggestion, but it is what I believe.
I was addicted and pain like that was not a part of it.
Best wishes --your life may depend on you making this work
Thanks
FREDH

I am going to put up this useful link:

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm

It explains the differences between people and how genetic issues determine alcohol metabolism:

This one explains alcohol and glucose metabolism.

http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_a...tion/page4.htm

The changes in glucose metabolism therefore may hook into the PN issues. (in addition to alcohol toxicity etc.)

Janieg at our PN forum put this up today...
http://health.howstuffworks.com/well.../hangover4.htm

The aldehydes are the real culprits in causing sick feelings and pain involving the nerves, etc when alcohol is consumed.
Thiamine and benfotiamine (a synthetic thiamine) will help with the aldehyde problem...and this is why many hangover remedies contain Thiamine in some form (B1)

Yes, cease. I am living proof that alcohol has a direct poisoning effect on nerves and also depletes the body of thiamine and other B vitamins. Also, continuing to drink will continue to set up a state in your body that will not allow you to absorb vitamins properly. You will feel better off of that junk. I sure as heck do, and I never knew just what an alcoholic I had become.

My thread here (about third down on the list) talks a little about what I am still going through and it also gives a vitamin regimen (do not take the iron) that I am following today. Importantly, don't be scared of blood tests, and in all cases of something weird going on with your nerves get a CBC.

11 days sober are the eleven hardest. It gets easier after this week, and it gets much easier after a month. If you need any support, message, please!

Welcome to our little outpost :)

Beautiful
 

Awesome
Just awesome
Love
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Again
 

Awesome beautiful

The love
Me

Still here, still fighting. That is all. Thanks for the support!

Great aid for cold turkey
 

First of all, to your initial question: ABSOLUTELY YES. The total ceasing of alcohol intake will halt the PROGRESSION, or NEW damage to the Peripheral Nervous System.

Degree of recovery and repair is dependent upon a number of variables, several posted to you from fellow members already--but maximum effectiveness of any is totally contingent on complete alcohol abstinence.

I, personally am a firm believer in cold-turkey. This method is rough, very rough, especially in the beginning, with the strong physical and mental urges, physical addiction withdrawal suffering, re-establishing restful sleep patterns, and even the danger of Epileptic-like seizures. Unfortunately, I have seen all too often relapses when weaning-off methods are employed, whether there may be too much alone time opportunity for rationalizing that one harmless glass of red wine, or "how harmful could one lousy bottle of beer be?

Throughout a 50 year every day drinking career, beginning at just 16, (I hung with an older intellectual and hard-drinking crowd in the mid sixties) there were many occasional cold-turkey month or two cleaning out periods, that never were attempts at quitting permanently. Just giving my body a short, well earned respite. Consequently, I grew to be aware and prepared for the first day, second, third,etc., and just gritted my teeth through them.

When PN finally took an unbearable stage in it's hold on me at age 66, My doc gave me the final kick that inside I knew was already overdue. Due to the frequency of the aforementioned seizures that were documented diagnosed as due to cold-turkey cessation, it became medically advisable to prescribe a 10 day regimen of Librium to stave off such possibilities. I went that route and can speak with some experienced authority that it made all the difference in the world. Some of the suffering I was used to were either eliminated completely, or greatly reduced.

If you are truly serious about total cessation on a road back toward good physical health, I would strongly recommend this approach--but only if you are mentally ready for full commitment, as it's doubtful your physician would repeat the regimen risking a trade of a new addiction for an old one.

Whichever path you choose, I know we all wish you the best of luck.