tingling, numb
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 444
tingling, numb
One morning about six months ago i drank 40 cans of premium strength beer and a couple of bottles of vodka and cider in one weekend. Just waking up, drinking, sleeping, waking up, drinking etc. Anyway at the end i woke up in the middle of the night, and my left arm had blown up, was swollen and bright red. Ever since ive had :-
numb pain down the outer side of my left arm (ulnar nerve) and in my two little fingers. I have the same in my two little toes and down the side of my foot. Not in my leg.
When i wake up in the morning my feet are tingling, it does get better during the day.
My feet feel like they are on fire when i wear shoes, and my hands are really hot all the time. They go red with white pigment spots. They dont seem to sweat as much to keep cool, i used to have to wipe my hands they sweated so much. (lovely)
BUT i had a nerve conduction test which said my nerves werent "damaged to a significant extent". The doctor offered no explanation because he had no time (this is the NHS afterall)
Ive been drinking regularly for 4-5 years. For the last two years pretty much living in isolation, regressing as a human being and getting wasted everyday. Eating extremely poorly. Im 32BMI which is obese.
Anyone here had something similar?
I want to nip this in the bud, but dont know if i can stop drinking.
numb pain down the outer side of my left arm (ulnar nerve) and in my two little fingers. I have the same in my two little toes and down the side of my foot. Not in my leg.
When i wake up in the morning my feet are tingling, it does get better during the day.
My feet feel like they are on fire when i wear shoes, and my hands are really hot all the time. They go red with white pigment spots. They dont seem to sweat as much to keep cool, i used to have to wipe my hands they sweated so much. (lovely)
BUT i had a nerve conduction test which said my nerves werent "damaged to a significant extent". The doctor offered no explanation because he had no time (this is the NHS afterall)
Ive been drinking regularly for 4-5 years. For the last two years pretty much living in isolation, regressing as a human being and getting wasted everyday. Eating extremely poorly. Im 32BMI which is obese.
Anyone here had something similar?
I want to nip this in the bud, but dont know if i can stop drinking.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
It's really strange how much drinking effects us
so many physical and mental problems occur.
Sorry to know of your distress .
Do you have a plan in mind to stop drinking?
Obviously that would be a wise idea.
Welcome to our SR Alcoholism Forum...
so many physical and mental problems occur.
Sorry to know of your distress .
Do you have a plan in mind to stop drinking?
Obviously that would be a wise idea.
Welcome to our SR Alcoholism Forum...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 444
Thanks Carol D 
I lost interest in most of what i have done in the past, because it doesnt seem the same anymore. However I have started to draw to fill up the time, instead of drinking. I had no idea that i could do it, so that was probably the best thing to come out of this.
Other than that...i read a lot more, keep my mind active.. also i drink alot of diet coke now haha.
I lost interest in most of what i have done in the past, because it doesnt seem the same anymore. However I have started to draw to fill up the time, instead of drinking. I had no idea that i could do it, so that was probably the best thing to come out of this.Other than that...i read a lot more, keep my mind active.. also i drink alot of diet coke now haha.
Retired Pro Drunk
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 901
I've experienced similar - alcoholic neuropathy.
The only thing that worked for me was to stop drinking. Things got better immediately and cleared up entirely after 6-8 weeks of sobriety.
Have you been honest with your Dr about your drinking?
The only thing that worked for me was to stop drinking. Things got better immediately and cleared up entirely after 6-8 weeks of sobriety.
Have you been honest with your Dr about your drinking?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 444
I tried to explain, but i dont think the Dr got the idea of the extent of my drink problem. I asked wether it was to do with drinking or being overweight, but she didnt think it was. She said it was the symptom of a pinched nerve, but referred me to a neruology specialist for a nerve conduction test in case of neuropathy. The specialist was busy and unhelpful. "No damage to a significant extent" is all the feedback i got.
Retired Pro Drunk
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 901
Originally Posted by dancook99 
Also thats a ray of hope that yours got better, thank God. Did you experience dryness/ reduced ability to sweat in the palms/soles of your hands and feet? I hope you dont mind talking about it.
I didn't notice any of the above symptoms.
Its time for bed
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Undisclosed Location
Posts: 343
Well, I've had some of what your saying and when I finally stopped the numbness and tingling stopped too.
Alcohol affects everyone differently and everyone detoxes differently.
BUT, I do know that recovery reduced all my aches and pains - Both physical and mental - some overnight and some over months
Alcohol affects everyone differently and everyone detoxes differently.
BUT, I do know that recovery reduced all my aches and pains - Both physical and mental - some overnight and some over months
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: scotland
Posts: 126
Dancook99, i can relate to this, ive had the same,only on my left side leg below the knee
swollen,numb,lack of feelin compared to right side, also left arm numbness, felt like nerve
associated probs.. At one point readin up on strokes was kinda worried, the sensations
were more intense with the extremes of intoxication...NUFF SAID! i know, anyway been
off and IM on 12 days and can feel gradual improvements... Hence pretty sure drink related,
am one of these guys not too keen to turn up at the docs for a checkout.. FOR FEAR
OF WHAT ELSE HE MIGHT UNCOVER! jus my way... but gettin stopped stayin stopped
surely the main and way to go... Good luck to you sir, plenty of help here though.:wtf2
swollen,numb,lack of feelin compared to right side, also left arm numbness, felt like nerve
associated probs.. At one point readin up on strokes was kinda worried, the sensations
were more intense with the extremes of intoxication...NUFF SAID! i know, anyway been
off and IM on 12 days and can feel gradual improvements... Hence pretty sure drink related,
am one of these guys not too keen to turn up at the docs for a checkout.. FOR FEAR
OF WHAT ELSE HE MIGHT UNCOVER! jus my way... but gettin stopped stayin stopped
surely the main and way to go... Good luck to you sir, plenty of help here though.:wtf2
Don't resist, allow
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South East of England
Posts: 1,521
Hi Dan and welcome
A nerve conduction test would seem usual for a pinched ulnar nerve which can cause numbness in last 2 fingers, side of hand, arm up to the elbow. This would be a localised problem due to the nerve but it would not explain symptoms in your feet.
A number of nerves being affected could suggest something to do with the central nervous system, rather than a nerve. Now alcohol is a drug which affects the central nervous system so as someone has already said, it is not suprising that heavy drinking had caused symptoms which cleared up after a while after drinking ceased.
Having said that there are other conditions unrelated to alcohol which could cause these symptoms. It's important to give up drinking but I don't think you should overlook these symptoms even if you do give up. You need medical advice - don't just assume it is due to drinking.
Did you GP know at the time of referral how much of your body was affected? Or were they just referring on the first symtoms of your fingers and arms?
The NHS system can be limited at times and doctors can be reluctant to refer but sometimes with some conditions symptoms can be vague and diagnosis difficult and doctors/consultants can leave things in the first instant assuming that patient will come back if symptoms persist which would warrent further, expensive investigation.
Personally I am very grateful for the NHS, some people just don't have any access to medical care .....but sometimes you have to work the system a little bit with patience, persistance and assertiveness
I would suggest writing down your symptoms for all of your body, perhaps keep a diary. See your GP again. Try another GP in your practice. Take someone with you if you need to if you lack assertiveness. Tell your GP how distressed you are. Be totally honest about your alcohol intake.
Ask for a referral to see a consultant neurologist. Tell your GP that you never got to see the consultant before. You should at least be able to see a consultant or if not their registra in clinic. Ask the person what type of doctor they are.
If things don't go well with the GP you can ask to see the practice manager. And failing that there is the PCT - you can get their number in the book and they have a system for information and complaints. They have a duty of care towards you.
Oh.....and on the alcohol. If you can't quit on your own, I would suggest going to AA and asking somone there who has been successful to show you how. It's a great way of getting out of isolation too.
Keep us posted.
A nerve conduction test would seem usual for a pinched ulnar nerve which can cause numbness in last 2 fingers, side of hand, arm up to the elbow. This would be a localised problem due to the nerve but it would not explain symptoms in your feet.
A number of nerves being affected could suggest something to do with the central nervous system, rather than a nerve. Now alcohol is a drug which affects the central nervous system so as someone has already said, it is not suprising that heavy drinking had caused symptoms which cleared up after a while after drinking ceased.
Having said that there are other conditions unrelated to alcohol which could cause these symptoms. It's important to give up drinking but I don't think you should overlook these symptoms even if you do give up. You need medical advice - don't just assume it is due to drinking.
Did you GP know at the time of referral how much of your body was affected? Or were they just referring on the first symtoms of your fingers and arms?
The NHS system can be limited at times and doctors can be reluctant to refer but sometimes with some conditions symptoms can be vague and diagnosis difficult and doctors/consultants can leave things in the first instant assuming that patient will come back if symptoms persist which would warrent further, expensive investigation.
Personally I am very grateful for the NHS, some people just don't have any access to medical care .....but sometimes you have to work the system a little bit with patience, persistance and assertiveness
I would suggest writing down your symptoms for all of your body, perhaps keep a diary. See your GP again. Try another GP in your practice. Take someone with you if you need to if you lack assertiveness. Tell your GP how distressed you are. Be totally honest about your alcohol intake.
Ask for a referral to see a consultant neurologist. Tell your GP that you never got to see the consultant before. You should at least be able to see a consultant or if not their registra in clinic. Ask the person what type of doctor they are.
If things don't go well with the GP you can ask to see the practice manager. And failing that there is the PCT - you can get their number in the book and they have a system for information and complaints. They have a duty of care towards you.
Oh.....and on the alcohol. If you can't quit on your own, I would suggest going to AA and asking somone there who has been successful to show you how. It's a great way of getting out of isolation too.
Keep us posted.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 444
Havent had access to a computer for the past few days...thanks for the thoughtful posts, i am grateful you'd spend the time to write all that.
Ive got another appointment with the neurologist on the 10th...
Just trying to cope with depression - not just about these symptoms, but about my dissatisfaction with where the course of my life is headed and about a lot of my inadequacies ive repressed by drinking. I do need to talk to people, but the catch 22 is im too disheartened to do it. All i can see in the future is sadness.
I hope i dont come across as too tedious, immature and self regarding. (even though i am)
Ive got another appointment with the neurologist on the 10th...
Just trying to cope with depression - not just about these symptoms, but about my dissatisfaction with where the course of my life is headed and about a lot of my inadequacies ive repressed by drinking. I do need to talk to people, but the catch 22 is im too disheartened to do it. All i can see in the future is sadness.
I hope i dont come across as too tedious, immature and self regarding. (even though i am)
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: peterborough Cambs U.K
Posts: 172
hi dan.
i can relate to the alcoholic neuropathy and the isolating,
when i got out of bed in the morning i could barely walk and my feet would burn in bed at night and my fingertips would also go numb, when i quit drinking the symtoms cleared up really quickly, after a few weeks infact and that was after almost 20 years of boozing my life away,
i dont get to many AA meetings myself but i read alot of the big book and on here, it really helps me to stay sober,
i can relate to the alcoholic neuropathy and the isolating,
when i got out of bed in the morning i could barely walk and my feet would burn in bed at night and my fingertips would also go numb, when i quit drinking the symtoms cleared up really quickly, after a few weeks infact and that was after almost 20 years of boozing my life away,
i dont get to many AA meetings myself but i read alot of the big book and on here, it really helps me to stay sober,
Don't resist, allow
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South East of England
Posts: 1,521
Hi Dan,
That's good you have an appointment with the neurologist. Do make sure they get a full list of your symptoms (and you drinking issues). You could write it down on a list and hand it to them if you find they are not paying enough attention.
good luck.
Keep us updated.
That's good you have an appointment with the neurologist. Do make sure they get a full list of your symptoms (and you drinking issues). You could write it down on a list and hand it to them if you find they are not paying enough attention.
good luck.
Keep us updated.
Wing D2, Ward 2, Cell 24
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
I heard of a condition that had similar symptoms. Tingling in feet, odd temperature sensations, etc. It resulted in being a blood circulation issue, which is worsened if one smokes.
pins & needles /tingling feelings happen because that part of your body isn't receiving enough blood flow. so if you wake up with it in your feet, you may not be getting blood to your feet, and walking around during the day helps.
it's something to look into, at least. it may or may not be related to the alcohol use.
pins & needles /tingling feelings happen because that part of your body isn't receiving enough blood flow. so if you wake up with it in your feet, you may not be getting blood to your feet, and walking around during the day helps.
it's something to look into, at least. it may or may not be related to the alcohol use.
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