moderate use of alcohol

Hi @kiowajack, that's an intriguing question. I was always a moderate user of alcohol in my early years but after I was diagnosed with small fiber PN and found out alcohol can make it worse I quit even the moderate drinking which was one or two drinks a couple of times a week also. My thinking was if alcohol can induce PN and I already have it then why would I want to keep drinking it. I don't really think there has been any studies on occasional alcohol uses affect on neuropathy but I'm not sure. There is some good evidence on it's relationship to neuropathy though.

Alcoholic Polyneuropathy Issues & Treatment
-- https://www.alcohol.org/comorbid/polyneuropathy/

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
Alcohol -- Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, and alcohol abuse is a frequent cause of neuropathy....
-- https://www.foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/causes/alcohol/

If I didn't have neuropathy I would still be an occassional user of alcohol - I do miss a cold beer on a hot summer day and an occasional glass of wine with dinner. It's one of those out of sight, out of mind things for me.

John

I'd like to also invite @dutchman09 @pfbacon @maryy @ndttech @ruthanderson @mlmcg into this conversation to offer their thoughts on moderate use of alcohol and potential effects on neuropathy.

@kiowajack - have you noted any effects of having two alcoholic drinks twice per week on your neuropathy symptoms?

It is kind of hard to tell. My pn in my feet have been worse the past 4 days. I had 2 drinks the last 3 nights but I've also had too much snack food and sweets. In general, 2 drinks twice a week doesn't bother me; although usually I only have one 2 to 3 times a week.

@kiowajack you mentioned my other two weaknesses -- sweets and snacks. That was what I started working on eliminating after reading about the Wahls Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls. Basically it's about cellular nutrician and how it helped her eliminate the symptoms of MS. Not a cure but healthy eating can definitely help with symptoms. She has an amazing story if you want to read it:
-- https://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

John - P.S. I still have them once in awhile but not like the old days ☺

thanks John-that sounds like a good plan. I've had pn 5 years. So far I just have numbness in my feet (not totally numb) and a tightness on the tops of my feet and ankles-most shoes I can't wear for very long, but I do have several pair that are comfortable. Guess I'm lucky it hasn't progressed any further.

I am unable help on the use of alcohol and neuropathy because I do not drink. My mother enjoyed a drink or two at night until she became an alcoholic. There are two kinds of alcoholics, after the first drink you cannot stop (my exhusband) and the second it takes years of consuming a drink or two every day until is becomes an addiction (my mother). I gave up drinking about 30 years ago and do not miss it, I still might have a small amount of wine at Thanksgiving and Christmas now.

Other than not using alcohol, I cannot help, sorry. My neuropathy pain last for a short time, seconds to a minute. They are sharp and I know if I just let it happen it will stop. Most of the time I am sitting and try to relax, sure, I'm in pain and try to relax. I do take 2 Gabapentin at night and 2 in the morning as well as 2 Tylenol at night and 2 in the morning.

Good luck,
mlmcg

I personally have not felt a difference weather I have any alcohol with dinner or not. But my Neuropathy only started around this past January. Lately I have felt a difference the next day if my wife doesn't treat me with the Handheld Pulsating Red Laser Therapy Device. It is harder to walk and my hands hurt. I am still waiting for the Rebuilder 2407 due this week.