New Member with PN
 

I have had PN since March, it was only determined in June tht it may be the result of excessive alcohol consumption. I have stopped all alcohol and have seen minimal improvement, it is devstating to know I did this to myself. I have no B vitamin deficiencies and give myself B12 injections once a week, I take thiamine and super B complex. What else can I do to speed the reversal of the PN?

I am sorry that you haven't had any responses, I assure you that isn't typical for this group. I can't personally help you as I have an untreatable progressive hereditary neuropathy, but I would advise you to study the supplements section at the top of the forum page, and read as many of the other posts as possible. The advice on supplements and nutritional support has been repeated many, many times. Lots of good information for you, but it does seem to be a long road to improvement for most.

As far as I know methyl B-12 tablets are at least as effective as injections, and certainly simpler. Most of us take them just for the nerve health support. I am also not sure if alcoholic PN can be reversed, but you can certainly keep it fom worsening. What are your symptoms like?

They are multiple, the worst is in my feet, burning, zinging electric shocks, numness in my toes and the balls of my feet. I also have mild symptoms in my hands, burning, not real numbness just a mild asleep feeling. Always worse at night so I can't sleep. Walking is very painful, I work at home so I spend most of my time in bedroom slippers. I don't go back to the doctor until Aug, but I do follwo up with my oncologist in July so I will discuss with him. Colon Cancer in 2009, no chemo to account for the PN

I'm in the same situation. Took the doctors two years to figure out what was wrong with me. If you don't have diabetes, they get confused. I quit drinking too, months back. Get a nerve conduction test with the neurologist.

The doctors will tell you that because you have toxic neuropathy, there's basically nothing they can do for the pain, but they'll try different things on you. I was under the impression I couldn't get any relief, but I take tramadol and neurontin together about two-three times a day and it helps numb the pain a lot. Not 100%, but it makes a big difference for me. I thought I was gonna be a disability case until I started taking those two. From what I understand, the tramadol is a synthetic pain blocker - some people say it's addictive, but I don't feel much other than it helps stifle the pain in my feet. Neurontin keeps the nerves from firing all the time, which will get rid of the stinging and stabbing pains. These are both non-narcotic, so you're less likely to become dependent on them. I take hydrocodone (vicodin) every once in awhile when the nerves are super-irritated or I really need some sleep.

Get a hold of those two medications AS SOON AS YOU CAN, and take them together. That's my free advice. I'm getting ready to start hitting the vitamins once I move to Florida - this week.

It doesn't get better if you have diabetes, it just is a good excuse for them to not try anything else. I've been battling with my Drs. to try to resolve bladder incontinence issues that just get pushed off as resulting from diabetes. I get so frustrated. There don't seem to be any answers for me. I keep trying to get something to put a handle on. I've gotten to the point where I don't really care if nothing changes, I just would like an explanation. I've always looked at idiopathic problems as being the result of the idiot Dr. that is too lazy to find the problem. I know that might be a little extreme, but in many ways, it is true. I guess I've been watching "House" too long. I wish you luck in getting answers. :)

Sorry you are having so much trouble with the Dr's. Where are you moving in FL, I've got some good ones here in West Palm

The main thing to do is find a doctor that understands what is needed to help the nerves heal. This is the most important thing to look for in a doctor.