Is drinking wine while healing from nerve damage frowned upon?
I have been drinking a bottle of wine or a two once a week for the last 4 months and hope I am not setting myself back. It just feels good to have more of a social life again after months of shots but I don't want to set myself back too much if it is harmful.
That's a difficult one to answer, I have B12 injections, however I was a chronic alcoholic, please don't judge me on my past life, as this was many years ago and I'm just celebrating 10 years sober, however I've ended up with neuropathy, nerve damage, its in my feet, hands, and legs,I've got a 'double' dose of symptoms to try and live with, I'll never touch alcohol again, because the pains, and burning sensations are enough to remind me of the damage I've already caused, and also smoking is another no, no, yes i abused my body, and I had reasons why I ended up using drink to hide my major problems, I can't give you any guarantees that this a good way forward, maybe others can give you more advice, I wish you well in the future, kind regards Chris 😇
I have healed alot from major nerve damage. Like I wasn't able to walk, dementia and digestive issues. They have all gotten so much better. I just don't know it wine drinking stunts healing.Thank you for sharing your story with me.
I'm so sorry you had damage in life and that alcohol offered what seemed a way out, only to - literally - cripple you.You can have no idea how much I appreciate your efforts to get, stay and be sober: there aren't enough words to say "well done/congratulations/thank goodness" but I guess each subsequent health benefit gives you all the affirmation you deserve.
It’s good to read your post Cb1963 and I’m glad that you’ve had the will to do what you’ve done. Gave me much food for thought. I hope your body continues to repair.
It's as simple as alcohol is a poison that damages and destroys living tissue.
It makes it more difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, including B12 and protein, and with fewer of these nutrients to go around, the body has to prioritize where the existing nutrients go. This is because it particularly damages your pancreas, liver and digestive system.
Among other things, your pancreas releases digestive enzymes which help digest your food to release your vital nutrients, including B12 and it's supporting vitamins and minerals needed to make it work properly. Your whole digestive system is then essential in absorbing these nutrients,
Your liver stores and uses B12 to rid your body of toxins - including alcohol, so by drinking you are immediately using up your B12 directly, as well as damaging the structure of the organ so it can't work as efficiently.
The resulting changes in nutrient availability damage your nervous system, especially your brain (because it is the most neuron dense organ).
It does this by changing the balance of neurotransmitters (bio-chemicals that transmit the nerve impulses) so your nerves are not triggered as they should be. By disrupting their function they are compromised and need more B12 and nutrients to repair the subsequent damage to them. But these aren't immediately available because the alcohol has disrupted your digestion and absorption so the damage is extended.
The reason why it is so vital to have non-drinking periods between drinking is to give the body a chance to absorb the nutrients it needs to repair the damage caused by the alcohol.... But really, does anyone need to willfully damage their bodies in the first place?
It is this, along with the dehydration, that makes you feel so terrible when you drink enough to get a hangover - but only a tiny amount of alcohol does some damage.
I do hear your wish to get more of your normal life back and know that socialising is a big part of this.
However it is possible to do it without alcohol - my liver packed up while I was at college as a teenager and when I went back I learnt to party my socks off without being drunk. A favourite thing of entertainment hypnotists is to make their sober subjects act "drunk" and we can all easily feign being sozzled so it is a state of mind as well as body. I also know of a wedding where all the wine ordered was accidentally non-alcoholic and no one knew until they were clearing up a couple of days later! You can get perfectly merry just on having a good time!.
Nowadays there's quite a large range of non- and low- alcohol beeers, wines and spirits which are perfectly palatable so I suggest you drink those instead.
If you can, try to get your friends to see quite how bad alcohol is and maybe get them to cut down with you, by way of supporting you.
If you want to find out how bad the effects of alcohol can be, join a pancreatitis Facebook group for a few days! 🙄
The following article has quite clear information too:
transformationstreatment.ce...
Congratulations on getting better and long may you continue to improve!
A great post deniseinmilden ! Thank you !
A: Yes. Research shows that even moderate alcohol consumption may decrease vitamin B12 levels, alcoholics are thought to be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. 3 Jan 2020
Now that you are in control of your B12 symptoms you will be able to kerb your drinking. If it continues you are at risk of cirrhosis.
I am thrilled to hear your B12 symptoms have improved with injections sounds like at last you are getting on top of it.
My own experience is that drinking relatively small amounts of alcohol affects me very quickly and leaves me with a hangover out of all proportion to the amount I’ve drunk. This was particularly true just before my PA diagnosis and in the early days afterwards when my B12d was untreated/inadequately treated.
I now have a si regime that leaves me feeling mostly fit and well and I can get away with a couple (ie 2) of drinks and only feel slightly lacking in energy and nauseous the next day.
However, I don’t like feeling even slightly out of sorts so I’ve reached a compromise with myself. Most of the time I don’t drink but if the occasion is worth it I’ll have a maximum of a couple of drinks. So, for example, a nice meal out merits a glass of wine.
If I were in your shoes I’d definitely be limiting myself. Whilst the social life feels good I’d say nothing tops feeling fit, healthy and energetic!
Listen to your body and let it be your guide.
As DeniseinMilden correctly states, B12 is a detoxifier and without it your body will be a risk of damage. Particularly your nervous system.
What's more, heavy use of alcohol strips your body of B vitamins. So its essential that you eat well and fill your body with vitamins.
Its not that its frowned upon, but there are significant health risks and a delayed recovery if someone with B12d drinks heavily.
Hi there. I don’t really drink, literally just wine at Christmas and my birthday. I have B12 injections every 8 weeks for the last 10 years. Along with PA I had shingles 4 years ago I still have pa nerve pain in my legs and post shingles nerve pain on my back and left breast. So I still have nerve issues even though I don’t really drink any alcohol.
Yes Shingles can leave it’s mark . I do hope that eventually that nerve damage will fade entirely . I remember many years ago (50) I was living in Austria , got Shingles , and the only treatment was B12 injections . Perhaps if you got more regular injections, it might help ?
It's great news you are feeling well enough to get out and socialise.
I wouldn't jeopardise this in any way.
To post your question I think is your answer to an underlying concern.
You know how you feel.
Perhaps have couple of weeks off and see?
This is a little off topic but I thought I'd share. Since starting treatment I feel so much better but have been left with some neuropathy in my toes and feet. I just started taking a supplement called Lions Mane which is supposed to help heal the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves. Lions Mane is a culinary mushroom used in Chinese cooking. I've only been taking it for a week so I don't know if it will heal the residual nerve damage in my feet but it does seem to have tuned down the pain. I researched it and Lions Mane seems to be very safe with no side effects. I just thought I'd mention this in case someone else might want to try it.
I think that alcohol does deplete B12. However I have given up so much ( gluten, dairy and sugar ) that giving up wine would be the final straw. It is very difficult having a social life without alcohol. But I limit myself to a maximum of 2 glasses of wine. It is a matter of balancing things. But I take oral B12 and can take extra if needed.
I drink a glass of wine now and again and I drink lots of fresh brewed coffee every day. I have noticed no adverse effects from either. Everyone is different and we must listen to our own bodies.
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