Non-diabetic neuropathy

Before I tell my story, let me state that I was a daily wine drinker for several years. My neuropathy started in my feet in 2017. It did not progress beyond my feet for several years. I stopped drinking in 2023, and at that point, my neuropathy was still confined to my feet. My doctor said that alcohol cessation should stop the progression of the neuropathy. I also started on a weight loss drug at that time. I weighed 157 lbs and I am 5’2”. The medicine was a success. I lost 54 lbs in five months, but also lost a large amount of muscle. I continued on the medication on the advice of my doctor. She said I would need to stay on the meds in order to maintain weight loss. Long story short, I was not hungry and from March, 2023 until February, 2024, I ate nothing but fruit, popcorn and salads. I ate very little protein during that year. Anyway, about six weeks after starting the medication, I noticed my knees felt weak. I spoke to my GP about it, and she said it was not associated with the medication. However, I became weaker and my neuropathy went into hyperdrive. I finally took myself off the medication in February, 2024, started eating a normal diet. I was able to see a neurologist at Vanderbilt and she said my neuropathy was probably caused by several factors, one being alcohol but also rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and possibly idiopathic. That was in October. She also said my neuropathy should slow or cease progression with the modifications I made. However, my neuropathy is getting worse. I now have numbness all the way up my thighs, and, in the last two months, numbness in my rear. I am also developing a twitch on the left side of my face. I feel so discouraged and alone. It feels good to have a group of people that understand.