Icandothis2013

Hi there,
Hope everyone is doing well and that our American cousins are getting ready for a fantastic Turkey Day sans alcohol ! :-)
I have now been properly diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy (painful feet and tingling arms). However I have not been given much advice on how to deal with it apart from (obviously) abstaining. Without soliciting medical advice, can you please give me top tips as to how you aided your recovery (does it indeed go away ? - if so after how long once you stop drinking). Do diet or exercise help? I have been put on nortriptyline which seems to dull the pain a bit although it gives me a foggy brain !
I'd really appreciate hearing about people's experiences with this hideous condition and what they did to make it go away!
Many thanks,
S xx

Soberwolf

Walking ?

LBrain

I have no knowledge of this. But I do know that taking short walks just to get the blood moving seems to help with a lot of things.


haha - looks like soberwolf beat me to the walking advice. Must be something to it.

ArtFriend

My brother has this from his drinking and I know it is very painful to walk. He has to use a cane. He also has a deficit of B12 so he takes a B complex supplement. He continues to drink, so his is not getting any better...

JanieJ

No experience of this but I personally find that gentle yoga helps pretty much everything...

ScottFromWI

Last time you were here asking this same question you said that you were going to be seeing a neurologist. Are you suggesting that they diagnosed you with the condition but gave you no advice on how to deal with it?

Have you quit drinking completely? Last time you had only cut back. Obviously that would be the first step, and it would certainly be a precursor to any other therapies. How long has it been since you have been completely alcohol free?

Dee74

As someone who has neuropathy (from birth) I reckon you really need to get some directives from your Dr.

If you didn't get any, it's time for a new Dr

D

DefconOne

I've got it in my feet. Slow improvement since I've been off the daily liquor bottle (8 months now). I had daily shooting pain attacks lasting 30-60min in both big toes, now only one toe and not every day. The overall numb feelings in my toes are much less. My toe nails look healthier. I take a multivitamin and a B complex called 'Healthy Feet and Nerves' from Terry Naturally. I take a lot of other meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Its improving since I've stopped drinking but progress is slow. Good luck, I feel your pain.

Icandothis2013

Yes Scott, when I posted previously i had seen two neurologists who said it was NOT alcoholic neuropathy and last week saw a pain management specialist who said it was. I have been abstinent for one week and intend to remain that way ..
Thanks,

ScottFromWI

My guess would be that it's going to take a lot longer than a week for your body to start recovering from any condition caused by alcohol. I had some pretty bad gastro issues brought on by my drinking and it took a good month or so before I started seeing marked improvement.

Icandothis2013

Thank you Scott - I understand it may take months and may, in fact, not get better at all -but I was hoping for some (non medical) top tips from the SR community to accelerate healing.
Happy Thanksgivng to one and all !
xx

sugarbear1

maybe talk with your doctor and possibly a dietician

ThatHombre

I have it too. The longer I'm sober, the better it's getting.

I take a multi-vitamin, a Mega Red and milk thistle every day. Also, I find taking a hot bath in the evenings helps.

Anna

You are doing the very best thing by staying sober.

I hope you feel better.

bunnezjp

6 months. I think I'll always have it, but it's markedly decreased. I'm not on meds for it. I work out six days a week and am very active. I keep a lower bodyweight for my height, always have, keep circulation good in my feet. Healthy diet. Wear something soft on my feet, good shoes or boots, keep my feet warm in the cold. I never had it evaluated by my doctors, but they are aware and I keep them posted. Hope this helps. Oh, and no more drinking

Bunnez

Savaard

I was diagnosed with it about 6 months ago, quit drinking and noticed the symptoms actually were worse after a week. Unfortuantely commenced drinking again 6 weeks ago and there was less discomfort. Now abstained again for the last 5 days and again the sensations seem to have worsened once again. Anyone had any experience similar to this?

wpainterw

I concur in this. Ask your doctor about Vitamin B1 supplements. I had this condition back in 1958 and I received Vitamin B1 injections. I recovered quickly and the condition has never returned. 28 years plus sobriety now.

W.

Mentium

I'm wondering if this is related to what I have noticed since quitting. I have 'restless legs' in bed. A slight but annoying tingling mostly in one leg that makes me want to shuffle them around. It is really very minor and not worth bothering a doctor with, but this thread bubbling up reminded me.

carlingford

Hi icando I still have mild Neuro in legs it was very bad for about 2 months. It seems to go hand in hand with Paws. No creams worked for me, the only thing that worked for me was soaking my legs/feet in a cold bucket of water before bed and quick cold shower of my legs and feet as required during the day. Gave relief after few minutes, I also walked, I do that anyway as still suffering from paws and brain fog but getting incrementally better. Good luck I feel you pain but it will get better with time. Remember cold water not hot.

BlueAero

I also have been diagnosed with this. I have had it for about 6 years!! Thing is, it was a big reason I drank because it was misdiagnosed initially as pinched nerves in my back. I had THREE back surgeries and still have it worse than ever! It finally has been properly diagnosed and I quit drinking....that's the biggest factor in recovering. I'm so mad at myself for damaging my body like this! It has ruined my life but now I am hopeful I can start getting better over time. I do know that nerve tissue regenerates VERY slowly (and dead nerves will not recover so I may face a degree of pain forever) but I am determined to get as much improvement as I possibly can. Also have atrial fibrillation due to alcohol abuse. Anyone who is actively drinking reading this, QUIT NOW before you end up like me!!!