My friend was diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy in January. His feet are completely numb with burning pain. I am really upset because the doctor refuses to tell my friend to stop drinking. He also is not giving him any other advice or referrals to other doctors. He only gave him a prescription for lyrica and ambien. He drinks even more to numb the pain, which is only making it worse. I am so upset I want to blow up at the doctor but i know that is not wise. How can I get him the proper care?
he has told us over and over that if he was told it was the drinking he would stop immediately
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Meta
Most Alcoholic Neuropathy is brought on by poor nutrition, not just the alcohol. So start eating properly .It is important to supplement the diet with vitamins, including thiamine and folic acid.
For the pain , I would demand that doctor gave me Tramadol, a non-addictive opiate. Usually you can stand the pain in the day time , but you need pain relief at night , so as to sleep.I take 3 tramadol at 5 pm and it seems to last all night.
A few meetings to Alcoholics Anonymous would be in his best interest. But thats another story.
Do take care
Tin
your friend doesn’t need the doc telling him not to drink,he knows what he’s doing.Maybe you speak to the dr,and voice your concerns,although he wont discuss him with you.Speak to your friend and also tell him you don’t want him to die.Good luck.
Do you think if the doctor advised your friend to quit drinking that he actually would quit?
Your doctor has probably seen a million cases like this before. Your anger at the doc is displacement.
Your friend is the one who has to make the decision to stop drinking; no one else can do that for him, and certainly not with a suggestion. If he truly wants to stop, the doc can send him to detox, rehab, then support groups. If he doesn’t wish to stop, all the advice in the world won’t change things. This is addiction.
I hope the friend does make the right choice, or he is looking at worse than neuropathy. I am wondering, for example, about his ammonia levels and liver function. At least be sure the doctor is addressing the inevitable physical deterioration.
Good luck. You could use a support group yourself, IMHO.