Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Numbness In The Arms After Quitting Alcohol?
I started drinking heavily about a year ago. I have recently tried quitting and my body feels absolutely horrible. I m foggy brained, have muscle twitching, numbness in my arms, and very cold hands and feet. I m hoping I didnt do any peemanant damage. Are these all normal withdrawal symptoms?
Thu, 1 Jun 2017
Hello dear. Welcome to HealthCareMagic. Thank you for trusting us. I have understood your questions.
Alcohol Withdrawal syndrome happens when heavy drinkers suddenly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol consumption, the neurotransmitters in brain previously suppressed by alcohol are no longer suppressed. They rebound, resulting in a phenomenon known as brain hyperexcitability. It usually happens in drinkers more than 3 months or really binge drinking.
The symptoms of withdrawal can be broken down into three stages of severity (American Family Physician):
- Stage 1 (mild): anxiety, insomnia, nausea, abdominal pain and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, tremors, depression, foggy thinking, mood swings, and heart palpitations. Happened in first 24 hours.
- Stage 2 (moderate): increased blood pressure, body temperature and respiration, irregular heart rate, mental confusion, sweating, irritability, and heightened mood disturbances. Happened > day 1
- Stage 3 (severe/delirium tremens): hallucinations, fever, seizures, severe confusion, and agitation. Happened after 1 weak if there's no treatment.
The symptoms like you have is normal after quiting alcohol. If these still happen or worsen, to help manage withdrawal complications, your doctor may consider adding other drugs to a benzodiazepine regimen. You should contact your local doctor about your condition and get the right treatments.
I hope this can help you to resolve all your concerns. If there's another thing you need to discuss, please let me know and I'd be glad to answer it in HCM. I hope you'll get well soon. Take care.
Regards,
dr. Asti Yuliadha
Alcohol Withdrawal syndrome happens when heavy drinkers suddenly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol consumption, the neurotransmitters in brain previously suppressed by alcohol are no longer suppressed. They rebound, resulting in a phenomenon known as brain hyperexcitability. It usually happens in drinkers more than 3 months or really binge drinking.
The symptoms of withdrawal can be broken down into three stages of severity (American Family Physician):
- Stage 1 (mild): anxiety, insomnia, nausea, abdominal pain and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, tremors, depression, foggy thinking, mood swings, and heart palpitations. Happened in first 24 hours.
- Stage 2 (moderate): increased blood pressure, body temperature and respiration, irregular heart rate, mental confusion, sweating, irritability, and heightened mood disturbances. Happened > day 1
- Stage 3 (severe/delirium tremens): hallucinations, fever, seizures, severe confusion, and agitation. Happened after 1 weak if there's no treatment.
The symptoms like you have is normal after quiting alcohol. If these still happen or worsen, to help manage withdrawal complications, your doctor may consider adding other drugs to a benzodiazepine regimen. You should contact your local doctor about your condition and get the right treatments.
I hope this can help you to resolve all your concerns. If there's another thing you need to discuss, please let me know and I'd be glad to answer it in HCM. I hope you'll get well soon. Take care.
Regards,
dr. Asti Yuliadha
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....