Connect
← Return to Alcohol Neuropathy???
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
Hello @seanywonton. I think the chronic/consistent, long-term use of alcohol is the part where it would be feasible to point to alcohol neuropathy, and likely why your neurologist suggested it.
You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on this same topic, which you can find here:
- Alcohol Neuropathy???: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alcohol-neuropathy/
Unfortunately, as you know, quitting drinking will not reverse already damaged nerves and neuropathy symptoms. However, will benefit you by not increasing your symptoms and/or making things worse. Regardless if your neuropathy is classified as alcohol neuropathy or not, consuming alcohol going forward could contribute to additional nerve damage.
With that said, congratulations on your two breaks from drinking! I know the challenge of sobriety is day-to-day, as my spouse just celebrated his 10th year. It has required him to change many of his hobbies centered around alcohol and drinking or at least look at doing them differently. For him, it has been worth it 100% and he is the healthiest he has been since his 20s, probably largely in part because he replaced drinking with lap swimming.
Perhaps @pippy023 @texasflyboy @tomm547 and @casey1329 could join you here to share their experience with alcohol neuropathy and what they have learned and the treatment options they are using.
Would it be more freeing to think less about how this came on and more about what choices you can make going forward now that you know you have neuropathy?
Replies to "Hello @seanywonton. I think the chronic/consistent, long-term use of alcohol is the part where it would..."
Hi @seanywonton, Yes I am starting to settled into this diagnosis. I have not had alcohol in 9 months and I am on prescribed Vitamins for nerve health such as folic acid and B vits. I also have a nutritionist I am working with. I am in PT 3x wk. to increase balance and strength etc. I have no desire to return to drinking. I am also researching how psychological trauma and stress - chronic, can have a major impact on the nervous system as well but I feel that the doctors, not being trained on this aspect don't pay much attention to it. But I am taking steps toward my emotional hygiene as well. Thank you for your insight.
@amandajro, my apologies. My reply was addressed to you Amanda. I love this group because I am learning so much. Thank you all!
Connect
Hi Amanda,
I don't really want my post to be moved to the alcoholic neuropathy section. I feel that while that is part of my question, it also seems that you are making a judgement of why I have neuropathy and jumping to the conclusion that it's from alcohol. And that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying it could only be from alcohol if I am like, 2-3 times more easily damaged by alcohol than other people are.
If people could get neuropathy that easily from alcohol use, 50% of college graduates would also have neuropathy.
I'm going to keep looking for an answer that isn't alcohol. It doesn't make sense to me...I know full-on alcoholics that aren't suffering what I'm suffering.
I'm happy for people that quit drinking, if that's what they need to do. Creating beer is my creative passion and my livelihood. I like to drink beer. I'm not cutting one more source of pleasure out of my life without good reason. This disease has already stolen far too much from me.