Alcohol Neuropathy

[yobuck]

Would like some help.  How long does it take one to get  alcohol neuropathy?  I have been drinking only beer for about 4 years (lite beer actually). If you break it down to an average, I have been drinking on average about 4 beers a day, some days more and some days not at all, while some days would reach 8 to 10.  That's why I say an average of 4.  Just wondering what my changes of getting alcohol neuropathy is.

I am asking this question because I am starting to get tingling in my hands and feet.  I am 55 male, and just wondering if this is alcohol neuropathy.  I know it could be plenty of other things but I have to start somewhere.

Thanks

[JustCurious64]

A related discussion, Duration & amount of alcohol consumption that can lead to neuropathy   was started.

[yobuck]

Thanks for the advice.  No I don't smoke and I did quit drinking.  Also, I work out and  play racquetball a couple of times a week so my exercise is there.

Thanks Again.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

At this point I would not worry about cirrhosis, especially if you are about to quit drinking and get a doctor to look at you, to make sure that you neuropathy is due to vitamin deficiency and will resolve spontaneously with thiamine replacement and proper nutrition. Let us not give you diagnoses that you have not earned yet, OK?  Let us take care of your health and avoid future problems. Good luck.

P.S. BTW, if you smoke, might be a good idea to quit as well, while you are at it. :)

[yobuck]

Hello Dr. Aharonov,

Thank you for your response.  From my previous post, what are the chances I could have developed Alcohol Neruropathy or Cirrhosis.  I really don't have any of the symptoms of Cirrhosis.  The only symptoms I have is a mild tingling in hands and feet that come and go.  And, is Cirrhosis something that accures over many years of alcohol abuse?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

This kind of chronic alcohol consumption can lead to nutritional and vitamin deficiencies that can be the cause of your symptoms.
In order to best manage symptoms refraining from consuming alcohol is essential. Abstinence from alcohol will encourage proper consumption of nutrients and prevent progression or recurrence of the neuropathy. Once you stop consuming alcohol it is important that you understand that substantial recovery will usually not be seen for a few months. Some subjective improvement may be seen right away, but this is usually due to the overall benefits of alcohol detoxification. If alcohol consumption continues, vitamin supplementation alone is not enough to improve the symptoms of most individuals.
Nutritional therapy with intervenous or intermuscular injections of multivitamins is beneficial to implement until the person can maintain adequate oral nutritional intake. Treatments also include vitamin supplementation (especially thiamine). In more severe cases of nutritional deficiency 320 mg/day of benfotiamine for 4 weeks followed by 120 mg/day for 4 more weeks may be prescribed in an effort to return thiamine levels to normal.
The bottom line is that you need to see your doctor first to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment and make sure that you stop alcohol consumption completely.
Good luck to you.