Ok, I think I'm going to try Got the gene's method because the neurological symptoms are really starting to scare me. It seemed to get better after a couple days AF. I wanted to see if it was the Nal causing it since I had the numb tongue SE early on, so I tried a day w/o the Nal. I had 2 glasses of wine and the numbness came back with a vengeance the following day. I also felt very toxic. I went to urgent care yesterday after being advised to by my FP. I was honest with the doc regarding alcohol consumption and Nal. He looked up SE's for both the Nal and the Lamictal that I am on and couldn't find the numb limbs as a side effect. The urgent care doc did an exam to test reflexes, coordination, etc. and since all my blood work came back within normal limits two months ago referred me to a neurologist. I looked up the symptoms on google doc and it could be a vitamin deficiency due to alcohol consumption. I'm trying AF with B-1 supplements to see if it goes away before my appointment, as I am afraid to find out what an MRI has to say. I am kinda hoping it is the B-1 deficiency because it can be fixed. Perhaps this is what I need to convince myself that being able to drink "normally" isn't really that important. Regardless, alcohol is a toxin and equivalent to drinking cyanide right now. BUT, the question is whether or not I will feel the same way in a week. I figure if I can go 6 AF days in a row, then I can go indefinitely. Right now I don't give a rats arse about the deprivation effect. It's weird how I don't want to not drink because of alcoholism, yet I have no problem saying I can't drink because of neurological issues. Hmmm. That being said, I hope to keep these feelings of indifference. I will check back next week. I do hope TSM works for y'all, but I have to demonstrate some willpower right now and not give in to the "just drink as you normally would" aspect of the protocol. Take care, Keek

Keke, that sounds like as good a motivator as any. I remember wishing I was allergic to alcohol so I couldn't help but to abstain. Still, the best to you. Finding the cause of numbness and other such symptoms is often a wild goose chase. B1 deficiency would seem a bit of a stretch, IMO. That would be easily fixable, though!

Keke,

6 days. Thats uncharted waters for me. Keep it up.

The numbness was a bit of a motivator until I talked myself out of the alcohol being a cause. I am currently reading Over the Influence and am gaining some much needed knowledge on the steps to change.. I am going to try and be tolerant of my anxiety before I reach for the alcohol rather than throwing in the towel. I do believe my new mood stabilizing drug has helped with the ability to go AF for more than a few days, but am learning that this process is going to take years. I put it out there to my children that I am trying to quit drinking. This is a big step (publicly announcing my efforts). I still am very resistant to AA and am looking into other support groups so that I can meet people who don't drink and will support me in my efforts.

I had an appointment with a neurologist where they took ten vials of blood that came back normal. Since I am still experiencing the numbness, I have an MRI of the Brain and Spinal Cord next week. I've stopped the Nal since one of my first reactions to it was a numb tongue. Right now I am practicing Harm Reduction and have to be proud of My accomplishments so far. I also need to try and let go of the guilt associated with relapses. Perhaps this forum will be my "go to" when the anxiety hits. Please accept my sincere empathy for those of you who are experiencing the discomfort (agony) of trying to get a handle on this drinking problem. HUGS... Keek

This is two days after being drawn in by the booze brain and drinking 3/4 of a bottle of wine. I still feel really tired and usually I bounce back by this time. I've been thinking back and realise that even though I was concerned with putting myself in a position where alcohol would be offered I didn't make my concerns a priority and wanted to make hubby happy by going to this celebrity golf tournament with friends. I was able to exercise some control, but since I'd already deviated from the plan not to drink for 2 weeks, I just caved when a little anxiety hit on Tuesday. So, here we go again..

Hi Keke,
I haven't been on this forum for probably a couple months but saw your message and then logged on to see how you are doing. So sorry to read about the physical symptoms/numbness you are experiencing!
I do think however (from my own experience) that if you are able to achieve several weeks AF it can have a very positive effect on your overall battle to gain better control. My own 2 major AF runs have meant that almost a year after my life crumbled, that I am still doing well.
Now that you've gotten me on the forum again, I will have to give a progress report. I will say here that I have not restarted the Nal. I am back to drinking 1-2 glasses of wine most days. Some days I am AF. Right now I am "normal". It's not without some effort (but not much). I have not had a drop of hard alcohol for months (maybe since Aug 2012). I usually end up having one, maybe two glasses of wine, and then drink water. I (so far) don't have difficulty in stopping after the maximum of 2 glasses (4-5 oz). But I know it is a very slippery slope so it continues to be one day at a time. While my father was an alcoholic, my mother is not, so I remind myself that the "gene" is there but it doesn't have to be the dominant one.
Good luck to you Kekede.....I'm cheering for you!

Read this in your post:

I can here everyone's doubts including my own, but I'm hopeful that I can succeed with a little support from y'all.

No doubts from me that you CAN do this. In fact you have inspired me to try for 90 days too!!!! I have been blathering and blathering all over the place about going AF here and there and how easy I find it only to have wine last night - I just have the habit - I was tired - had a bad day - whatever. So I'll come along with you, Keke. Please keep posting so we can see how we're doing. I've over on I'm Doing The Work. And the WORK I'll start today, with you is 90 days AF.
Babs

Well, Keke, I fell off my own train last night and I feel like I let you down as well as myself. But I know that is silly. We are here for a reason and that's to get where each of us wants to be. We all have good days and bad days. So on we march.
Babs.

Keke, just checking in as how you are doing? How are the AF days going?