Hi everyone, I’ve been a long-time lurker here but this is my first time posting. I’m a 27-year-old guy who’s been drinking heavily since I was 16. About three months ago, I started feeling a strange ‘tingling’ in my right arm and hand. I didn’t think much of it until a few weeks ago when I looked it up online and realized my drinking might be the cause. Even so, I kept drinking until four days ago when I finally found the resolve to quit and deal with the withdrawals at home.
Anyway, to the point—after detoxing, I finally saw a doctor to find out what was happening to my arm. By that time, I had lost about 80% of all sensation in it. The doctors confirmed it’s nerve damage from the alcohol and said it’s permanent. So, that’s great…
I’m posting this because I hope at least one person struggling with alcohol will see this and realize it isn’t worth it. If you keep drinking, you might end up with damage that never goes away.
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Damn. I’ve had similar things happening over the last few years and I always just figured it was genetic (my dad and grandad both had numbness in their limbs) or related to my job, which is physically demanding. Now I’m thinking there might be another explanation 
Well, at least it shouldn’t get any worse from here, right?
The Wikipedia article mentioned actually offers some hope for recovery if you stop drinking and focus on better nutrition. I’ve heard some people find Nervala helpful for nerve support during recovery, but you should definitely see a specialist for professional advice.
Thank you for sharing this. Many people who are still drinking and considering a change read these posts, and your post might really help someone.
I dealt with this in my left foot and ankle. It actually went away after about two weeks of sobriety, even though the doctor told me it was permanent. Don’t give up hope.
Welcome to the sub, /u/Muslim_Acid_Salesman. I hope you’ll keep sharing your journey with us, and I truly hope your health improves more than the initial assessment suggests. I’ve seen many people make significant recoveries despite grim diagnoses. Good luck.
I had that too. It was in both my hands and feet 24/7 for several weeks after I got sober. It eventually cleared up completely with sobriety, though it returned much more easily if I started drinking again. I’m sober now and the tingling is gone, but I know if I drink again, that will be the least of my worries. I’m also a 27-year-old male. Hang in there.
I used to get those tingly feelings and sometimes a sharp ‘zap’ that reminded me of an electric shock I got back in college. I don’t remember exactly when they stopped, but I started taking vitamins to try and head off the symptoms before I even quit drinking (because that’s the logical way to handle it, right?).
Wow, I’ve had brief bouts of numbness in my feet over the last few years, and sometimes I’ll sleep with my arm under me and it’ll go completely dead—way more than it should just from sleeping wrong. I could definitely see it being related to this. Just another reason to add to the ‘no more poison’ pile. Thanks for this; on the bright side, you can stop it from getting any worse. Good luck.
It’s very brave of you to share your story. Thank you. Keep us posted on how you’re doing. Welcome to recovery!
I’m pretty sure I was right on the edge of neuropathy before I managed to stop. I remember waking up a few times after heavy drinking and my left leg and hand would be numb. It usually went away after a few days, but a few months back it stuck around for a while. As long as I was drinking, it never really disappeared, but now that I’m nearly 2 months sober, the numbness is gone and all my feeling has returned.
It’s just one more reason on a very long list for me to keep going.
Best of luck, I really hope you’re able to recover and get that sensation back.