Adderall or alcoholic induced peripheral neuropathy?
 

Hi, I am a 33 year old male. I started drinking (had my first drink) at 18 years old as a freshman in college. I drank socially through college but probably too much, i was in a fraternity, etc. After college through my 30s i was definitely a weekend drinker. Always having one or maybe two big nights of drinking with friends a week. I'd take It easy though if i started to feel like i was drinking too much. I didnt really ever feel like i was drinking more than anyone around me. just sort of keeping up with the pack. maybe sometimes more than others but generally about the same as most of my friends through my 20s. Ive always had a very busy work schedule so i havent ever really drank much during the week. just a lot of weekend social drinking.

during covid ive been working from home so ive been able to drink more during the week. I usually drink whisky and the most i ever drink any given night (and definitely not every night) for the past few months has been about 12.5 oz. Thats the most - i know its quite a bit. During the past couple of weeks ive noticed some tingling in my feet and fingers. Just a mild sensation that my feet (toes) are falling asleep and also today for the first time a little sensation in my fingers also like they are tingly but not numb. I drank quite a bit last weekend 4 nights in a row as i was away with a few friends on a trip. i didnt notice this feeling much over the weeknd really but i have noticed it this week and i definitely noticed it last week. I have been taking adderall to get more work done and only started that the week before last (sort of the exact time frame that ive began feeling this tingling)

Im worried that maybe i've developed alcoholic neuropathy. I'm generally very "****" about my health. I get regular physicals. i just had a physical last month with bloodwork and everything was great according to my physician.

Do you think ive drank enough to develop neuropathy as a 33 year old weekend drinker? I definitely don't have any nutritional problems. I'm healthy, i workout a lot (every week) and I eat a healthy diet. I suspect maybe the adderall is giving me this feeling (i took 30mg of adderall today and today is the worst day yet as far as severity of the feeling) but i'm also worried about alcoholic neuropathy.

Is alcoholic neuropathy usually reserved for those who drink a lot every day for a long period of time like ten or more years? I'm a young professinal, very busy at work and again havent ever really had a drinking habit during the week but yes there have been times where i've drank during the week but generally just a weekend drinker. or could someone like me also develop it? also, could adderall possibly be giving me these sensations?

stop taking the adderall and see what happens....maybe the adderal and the drinking you are doing is too much for your liver. of course it wouldnt hurt to cut down on the drinking you are doing. i would try the adderal first because of the timing of the symptoms with the start of taking adderal.

Drugs and alcohol do not mix. Could neuropathy be a side effect of adderall, I suspect you've checked that.

OP: I always look at the alternative medicine world for all drugs.

The 6 Best Adderall Alternatives [Updated September 22]

OP: I was curious and this info talks about the dangers of Adderall.

Adderall Neurotoxicity: How Dangerous Is It? - Oxford Treatment

Hey trobinson986,

I have Alcohol Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (AIPN) and your symptoms are compatible with AIPN.

In answer to your question about alcohol and neuropathy, this is my understanding of the relationship. Alcohol is neurotoxic. However some people can tolerate a lifetime of heavy drinking with no ill effects. Some people cannot tolerate alcohol at all and will experience neuropathy after one night of drinking. There are examples on this site of such instances. So its not really the volume of alcohol over any given period, its how resilient your nervous system is to it. At the same time, obviously, the more you drink the greater the risk of AIPN.

Adderall is unlicenced in the UK. I note there is a Nextflix Documentary about it and a Google Search reveals amongst other many things that PN may be a side effect. However it would be impossible to offer a differential diagnosis even for a medical professional I would imagine. Perhaps Alcohol and Adderall interact?

You haven't specifically asked for advice, but mine would be this. Stop drinking and taking Adderall today. You are a young fit and healthy young man. Give your body time to recover. Take these vitamins to help nerve repair
B12
B1 -Benfotiamine the fat soluble version of B1, your liver can store this
Folic Acid
B6 but don't over do this as it can induce PN.
Eat foods rich in anti oxidants
Drink Water ( I have cold decaf Green Tea on the go all the time full of anti oxidants)
Eat foods rich in Omega 3 especially milled Flaxseed. Chia. Sprinkle Nutritional Yeast on your foods. full of B vitamins

There are numerous other supplements you can research too. However the most important thing is to stop drinking.

My experience is different. My neurologist stated that the 'normal' use of alcohol will have no effect on my neuropathy. I have stopped drinking for up to two months at a time(TKR surgerys) and my neuropathy was unchanged.

Normal for me is 2-5 beers at the end of every day.

This is a thread about potential Alcohol Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and your answer is beer!?!

You've found a way to deal with your own PN issues, so good luck to you.

Depending on long you've been doing that nightly avg, a 2 month stop may not show any noticeable changes.. But your body could be healing internally..
Long term drinking will effect your health as you age..
Much worse if smoking also...

23 Effects of Alcohol on Your Body
Drinking too much alcohol can harm your health. Learn the facts | CDC

some quizzes- if interested..
Alcohol Abuse Problem Quiz
Alcohol Assessment Test - Alcoholism / Dependency
Am I an Alcoholic? Alcohol Use Disorder Test. Get Instant Results.

Just a word of caution that stopping any drug "cold turkey", including alcohol, can sometimes have intense withdrawal reactions in some people.
It's always a good idea to have medical help tapering off a medication like adderall.