As my title indicates, I am suffering from intense neuropathy. I’m a woman in my early 30s, and it feels wrong to be relying on a walker and living in constant agony. I can’t perform basic daily tasks like eating, sleeping, or even standing in the shower. I’ve visited the ER three times this week following the advice of my medical helpline. They usually just administer a Toradol shot, bump up my Gabapentin and Robaxin doses, and give me Lidoderm patches before discharging me. None of the medical interventions are actually stopping the pain. I’m constantly out of it from the meds, and when I do manage to sleep, I wake up in total misery after less than an hour. I’ve been trying to detox on my own safely, which I’ve done several times recently. Since I don’t have insurance, I don’t have many options. My local county hospital won’t admit me for this. I understand the dangers of detoxing alone, but since I only experience brain fog and shakes rather than the most severe withdrawal symptoms, I haven’t fought harder to stay. However, the neuropathy is unbearable. One doctor told me they simply can’t admit someone for neuropathy. Another hospital did scans and wanted to keep me, but it’s ‘only’ fatty liver, and I’m so scared of the medical debt that I left against advice. But once the ER meds wear off, the pain returns to an extreme level. I’m just searching for any immediate relief methods you’ve found. I keep turning back to alcohol because it’s the only thing that actually dulls the pain besides the hospital shots. It’s a terrible cycle I want to break, but the medical system isn’t providing a solution. Please share any tips, especially those using household items. I can’t walk well or afford more medical bills. I’m missing work and can’t keep living this way. If anyone else is struggling with alcohol, please let my situation be a warning to you.
It isn’t going to get better. The drinking has to stop.
Did the hospital check your B1 and B12 levels? Low levels of both can lead to neuropathy. They can usually give you an injection if you’re deficient. Those of us who drink heavily often have very low B1 (Thiamine) because our inflamed digestive systems can’t absorb it. If that’s the case for you, just eating right won’t fix it; you really need the shots. When I was at my worst, my legs felt like they were burning and being electrocuted, particularly at night. Because I’ve had gastric bypass, I already struggle with absorption. I started taking 100mg of B1 three times a day and high-dose sublingual B12, which did provide some relief as long as I was consistent.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I work in the medical field and strongly recommend getting a referral to a specialist like a neurologist or a vascular surgeon. You’ll need to see a primary care doctor first to get that referral. Look into applying for insurance like Medi-Cal. It’s a slow process, so you should start as soon as possible. Wishing you all the best.
I still have neuropathy after 13 years of being sober. It’s permanent nerve damage caused by the malnutrition and malabsorption that comes with heavy drinking. I have to take 600mg of Lyrica every day for the pain, which helps, but my hands and feet are constantly numb and tingly.
I had to use a walker for about a year due to intense neuropathy; it’s a shock when your legs just give out. I’ve been sober for three and a half years now. I’ll likely be on Gabapentin forever, but I’m basically pain-free and can run again. My short-term advice is to quit drinking and increase your vitamins, as I was very malnourished with low B vitamins, iron, and potassium. Long-term, you have to stay sober. Your body is using this pain as a warning light to get your attention. I didn’t stop when it was just fatty liver and ended up with cirrhosis. This is a serious, lifelong disease that is exhausting to manage. Don’t wait, because it won’t fix itself.
A friend of mine takes duloxetine for their neuropathy and it helps. However, the only real solution right now is to stop drinking. It’s difficult, but if you want sobriety, you can achieve it. Good luck.
I have alcoholic neuropathy and now that I’m sober, it’s almost entirely gone. It took a few months of sobriety to fade. I also found that taking Nervala (i order from here)helped support my recovery. You really need to stop drinking.
Do you have a regular doctor you see?
Thanks for sharing that - a couple quick thoughts!
i have also been using Nervala! awesome stuff!
What are you doing for your electrolytes? Are you taking any B vitamin supplements? I would suggest starting with those two things.
Check out Olympia pharmacy. They make B-complex compounds for injections you can do yourself, which keeps the cost down. Regardless of what blood tests show, you’re probably deficient at a cellular level. Oral vitamins often fail because of the inflammation caused by alcohol. I’d suggest getting methylated B12 and their vita-mix. You can call them to get connected with a provider for the prescription. Just make sure there are no conflicts with your other health issues or meds. If it’s safe for you, I think you’ll feel much better. Also, you have to quit drinking. This is just a temporary fix, but I want to give you practical advice. Hopefully, you can stop before the damage is permanent.
I live with neuropathy too. The most effective treatment is simply never drinking alcohol again. When I was hospitalized, my neuropathy stretched from my toes to my waist and felt like walking on burning coals. For the last three years, I’ve taken 600mg of Gabapentin and 50mg of Tramadol three times a day. I still have symptoms in my feet, but the medication keeps me functional. I find that staying mobile helps with the nerve issues over time. I also take a daily B-complex and use an electric foot stimulator, which seems to help a bit.
Are you located in the US?