New to Neuropathy 2 months.

This is my first posting, so I am new as well. I used to ride, run and hike. They don't know what caused my neuropathy, but it is absolutely miserable. I so miss riding my bike. My feet and legs hurt too much afterwards to keep giving it a try. Such a great loss that I never saw coming. I hope your neuropathy stays mild and you can continue your active life.

I'm very new to this and don't really know what to say so I'll give a short version. My neuropathy, my doctors tell me, is due to alcohol abuse. i am a year completely clean now after spending 30 days in a very excellent rehab facility. on the other hand I'm dealing with this horrible neuropathy that just continues to get worse in my own mind. I've been on gabapentin the past year and am currently on the maximum dose of 3,600 mg daily, or I think I might go crazy, or have a seizure. I've always worked out and before being forced into early retirement I walked at least 10,000 steps a day in my last position. I've not been tested because I thought what's the use of a specialist diagnosing me for something I know I already have. I too miss riding my "very high dollar" street bike as well. Now it seems to substitute for a nice coat rack. Really sad too because I have this newly found zeal to want to work with young people about their own addictions. I'm on the right track, but I have to be honest, it does get me down at times. Thank God Covid is getting somewhat better!!!

Hello @spacewatcher, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are not alone with the feeling that neuropathy can get you feeling down. It sounds like you have a good outlook on your neuropathy. One of the things that has helped me is to learn as much as I can about my condition and possible treatments, mainly by reading a lot of what other members having posted on their experience and doing my own research on different treatments. There are a few other discussions you may wish to join and learn what others have shared about alcohol induced neuropathy.

- Alcohol Neuropathy???: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alcohol-neuropathy/
- Small fiber peripheral neuropathy and alcohol: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-peripheral-neuropathy-and-alcohol/
- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Are you able to share a little more about your neuropathy symptoms? Is it just your feet?

Hello @spacewatcher, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are not alone with the feeling that neuropathy can get you feeling down. It sounds like you have a good outlook on your neuropathy. One of the things that has helped me is to learn as much as I can about my condition and possible treatments, mainly by reading a lot of what other members having posted on their experience and doing my own research on different treatments. There are a few other discussions you may wish to join and learn what others have shared about alcohol induced neuropathy.

- Alcohol Neuropathy???: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alcohol-neuropathy/
- Small fiber peripheral neuropathy and alcohol: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-peripheral-neuropathy-and-alcohol/
- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Are you able to share a little more about your neuropathy symptoms? Is it just your feet?

Hi @jakedduck1 I agree we have to be careful with medications and supplements and their potential side effects. Our healthy existence is related to maintaining equilibrium within our bodies. Too much or too little of a substance can cause an undesirable chain of events. Sorry to hear you have struggled with seizures for so many years. Has the medications helped? The side effects must be awful. While in the ICU for my AVM, the physicians gave me Keppra. I had to continue taking it at home. I had felt all the side effects it was capable of. I hated taking it. I didn’t know how much of what I was feeling was due to the Keppra or due to me in order to help myself. After talking to my physician I was eventually weaned off the medication two months later. Luckily, I never had a seizure. Do you have dizziness, balance issues, or headaches? I believe drowsiness was one concern and warned no driving. How do you handle the side effects? Are you aware of the Keto diet? I know it is not an easy diet to follow to consume low carbs. I tried it for 6 months for weight loss with my husband. It was originally used to control seizures before medications were discovered. I believe low carbs help our nerves function better. One of our friends was also on the diet for weight loss. While on the diet his hand tremors went away. As soon as he got off the diet his tremors came back. I hadn’t realized I was helping myself then. At that time I didn’t pay much attention to the details of my symptoms with lifestyle changes. Best wishes. Toni

Saw good doctor last week. 15 blood vials. 2 spine MRI's 24 hour urine top test for Mercury. He was recommended by a Woman dermatologist I saw. She had sent 3 patients there with good results. Waiting for results.

Saw good doctor last week. 15 blood vials. 2 spine MRI's 24 hour urine top test for Mercury. He was recommended by a Woman dermatologist I saw. She had sent 3 patients there with good results. Waiting for results.

Hi @grovercleveland, You will notice that we moved your post into a previous discussion that you started so that members can easily follow your story and read your updates. It sounds like you are making progress with your treatment plan. Do you still consider your neuropathy to be mild?