Alcohol induced neuropathy

[dbrow]

I have small fiber neuropathy and my docs are trying to determine whether the cause is alcohol or impaired glucose tolerance. For three years I drank two and sometimes three glasses of red wine a day. Is this enough to cause neuropathy does anyone know? Also, are there any members of this forum who have recovered from ETOH-induced neuropathy? If so, how long did it take?

[mrsD]

If people believe alcohol is a culprit, a trial of thiamine B1 may be helpful. Some people have dehydrogenase enzyme errors, which allow aldehydes to build up in the body.(poor alcohol metabolism)

There is a more efficient form of thiamine now, called Benfotiamine. It has been used in PN for many years now and has come down in price. Typically 300mg a day to start, and you may reduce to 150mg after some progress if it works.
Many of us use iherb.com for our supplements. Benfotiamine is typically not available in stores locally.
example:
http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Best-Benfotiamine-150-150-mg-120-Veggie-Caps/42?at=0


The plain old thiamine is less expensive, but it is eliminated from the body quickly. 300mg a day in divided doses, may show you some improvement. Try this for a month and see what happens. You should feel some improvement to clue you to continue.