Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatment in India

Vivaan Mehta, a 48-year-old software engineer,...

Vivaan Mehta, a 48-year-old software engineer, had built a successful career but had used alcohol to manage work stress for over two decades. It started as weekend social drinking but gradually became a nightly ritual. Over the past year, he began experiencing a persistent, burning pain in his feet, like 'walking on hot coals.' He also noticed numbness and a loss of balance, causing him to stumble. Initially, he dismissed it as fatigue, but when he started dropping coffee mugs due to weakness in his hands, his wife insisted he see a doctor. His primary care physician referred him to a neurologist. After a thorough examination, nerve conduction studies confirmed Alcoholic Neuropathy. The neurologist explained that the alcohol had damaged his peripheral nerves. The core recommendation was immediate and complete alcohol cessation, supported by medical detox and counseling. Treatment included high-dose B-vitamin supplements (especially B1/thiamine), medications like gabapentin for nerve pain, and a referral to physical therapy for balance and strength. The first month of sobriety was intensely difficult, with worsening pain and emotional turmoil. However, by the third month, the burning sensation began to subside. While the numbness in his feet remains, the pain is manageable, and his balance has improved significantly. Vivaan felt profound shame and fear when diagnosed, seeing it as a moral failure. Through therapy, he reframed it as a medical condition. His emotional journey shifted from despair to cautious hope. He now attends support meetings, feels reconnected with his family, and is learning to manage stress through healthier means, though he grieves the permanent nerve damage.