Foot Neuropathy

Rianne

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My mom had severe neuropathy in her feet late in life. Now I'm getting it. My feet tingle and burn, as though I'm walking on needles. It happens intermittently, but is so painful when it does. I've tried different shoes, socks, sandals. Skechers sandals help a lot, but when it gets cold the only remedy is to wear toe socks with them. I can't keep that up this winter. For so many years I've worn Merrell's. I've tried various inserts, some are so expensive. I love them for balance and overall comfort but this burning at the bottom of my feet, regardless of what shoes I wear is limiting what I do. I love to walk long distances. I met with a Doc and he basically mentioned meds or getting a neurologist to figure out why this is happening. I don't want to go through all the testing and find out I need surgery to correct nerve damage. Asking for tips on how to deal with this condition.
 
My neurologist put me on alpha lipoic acid to minimize the pain and said I needed to take it forever.
 
My mom had severe neuropathy in her feet late in life. Now I'm getting it. My feet tingle and burn, as though I'm walking on needles. It happens intermittently, but is so painful when it does. I've tried different shoes, socks, sandals. Skechers sandals help a lot, but when it gets cold the only remedy is to wear toe socks with them. I can't keep that up this winter. For so many years I've worn Merrell's. I've tried various inserts, some are so expensive. I love them for balance and overall comfort but this burning at the bottom of my feet, regardless of what shoes I wear is limiting what I do. I love to walk long distances. I met with a Doc and he basically mentioned meds or getting a neurologist to figure out why this is happening. I don't want to go through all the testing and find out I need surgery to correct nerve damage. Asking for tips on how to deal with this condition.
Some people say they help with the cold and can ease that burning feeling a little
 
Many of those foot/toe exercises are similar to ones I do for plantar fasciitis.
I have a couple of small neuromas on the back of one heel, I never thought to add that area to the exercises. I will try and see if they help. Although a podiatrist said nothing would help except surgery and not recommended now.
Thanks for posting.
 
I have had some success doing nerve flossing exercises.
 
I have peripheral neuropathy and my neurologist recommended alpha lipid acid, l methylfolate and PEA. I’ve been taking them for years and things seem to be stable.
 
You'll want to figure out why you have neuropathy. In my family people have that from diabetes another Parkinson's (the gait kind not the tremor kind). There are supplements and meds that can help.
 
DW has been dealing with serious neuropathy following chemo. Over two years now post chemo, feet and hands, some spots worse than others. Oncologist said it's temporary, wait 3 months, then 6 months, then a year. At a year suggested seeing a neurologist, but she had more than her fill of docs, procedures, etc., so delayed that until this fall. She has been doing supplements, exercises, etc. Did Gabapentin for an extended period. Has had physical therapy and wears an orthotic to deal with foot drop. Also uses a cane and walkers to help avoid falls, particularly when even a small jostle if in a crowd could throw her off. One fall resulted in a broken shoulder.

Neurologist visit suggested continuing with supplements, trying a new drug (Cymbalta), and also suggested a TENS unit. You can get one for a nominal amount ($35-40, IIRC). Electrodes have a limited lifespan due to their stickiness, so get some replacements.

She also recently had an EMG, and we know something about the results from being there but haven't had the followup appointment yet. One nerve in her leg and one in her arm did not register. Period. Nada. They couldn't pick up any transmission. The arm nerve, the ulnar, controls the little finger and half of the ring finger. This has gone on long enough that she has visible atrophy in those fingers, they are partially curled, and she can no longer get her wedding ring on and off. She's switched to a slightly larger silicon band because of the flexibility.

Not sure there's any great advice here, but that's been our experience. Best of luck to you! :cool:
 
When I was getting chemo treatments for my cancer, I had a tough time with neuropathy in my feet (mostly on the top surface of my left foot). I still have twinges from it, especially when trying to get to sleep. But, it is not extremely severe (presently?) so I have discovered that if I take extra strength Tylenol at bedtime I can usually mostly ignore it for a little while. I'll drift off to sleep for a while and then it wakes me up with a sharp jolt later, but then I can go back to ignoring it to whatever extent possible, so I can manage to get some sleep.

I suspect your neuropathy is more severe than mine, though, my sympathies. In my case it is apparently aggravated by my type 2 diabetes, so whatever I can do to get my blood sugar to more reasonable levels seems to help also. My endocrinologist put me on insulin because he felt my blood sugar was too high, and the insulin seems to help somewhat. I haven't really directly asked him for any help with this particular issue.
 
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I agree you need to find the root cause so you and try and stop or slow progression. It runs in my family too.

Going gluten free (COMPLETELY) did wonders for my sister for several years now. I am gluten free too . The addition of red ( near infrared) light for 10 min daily helped me get about 60% better and I am holding steady 3+ years later.
 
Sorry to hear you are having problems with nerve pain. I’ve dealt with the pain of peripheral neuropathy for years and have found several things that help. For shoes, I like Hoka, New Balance and Finn Comfort. There are a few medications that are effective for nerve pain. However, I would urge you to see a neurologist. Some causes of peripheral neuropathy are treatable, if found early. You seem to be letting your fear of surgery (a very unlikely possibility for peripheral neuropathy) keep you from discovering your best options for dealing with your disease.
 
Well, don't know as I've been taking them since he told me to 7 years ago. It's certainly way better than before I started taking them. If you start taking them, don't take them on an empty stomach.
 
My mom had severe neuropathy in her feet late in life. Now I'm getting it. My feet tingle and burn, as though I'm walking on needles. It happens intermittently, but is so painful when it does. I've tried different shoes, socks, sandals. Skechers sandals help a lot, but when it gets cold the only remedy is to wear toe socks with them. I can't keep that up this winter. For so many years I've worn Merrell's. I've tried various inserts, some are so expensive. I love them for balance and overall comfort but this burning at the bottom of my feet, regardless of what shoes I wear is limiting what I do. I love to walk long distances. I met with a Doc and he basically mentioned meds or getting a neurologist to figure out why this is happening. I don't want to go through all the testing and find out I need surgery to correct nerve damage. Asking for tips on how to deal with this condition.
Seems to me it's important to figure out why you have this condition, since according to several reputable medical websites there are many different possible causes, some of which are diseases you'd want to know you have so you can treat that underlying disease, and others are as simple as B-vitamin deficiencies - or excess B vitamins (from supplements). For example, the Mayo Clinic:


Also know that you can order your own blood tests, without the hassle and expense of a doctor visit. Just search on "order my own blood tests" to find the companies that offer that. Costs are generally reasonable. Among the things you can check for are liver disease, thyroid problems, some vitamin deficiencies, elevated white blood cell counts, and more. A c-reactive protein test (the plain one, not the "high sensitivity" one) can suggest either an autoimmune condition or an active infection of some sort.

This do-it-yourself approach does require spending a fair amount of time searching online, reading, and thinking pretty hard.

But even better than saving money, it gives you the knowledge to better evaluate the quality of the medical care you receive when you do go to a doctor.

EDIT: I'm assuming diabetes has been ruled out as the cause, since the doctor you went to thought you should go to a neurologist to find out why this was happening to you. If diabetes has NOT been ruled out, then testing for it would be the first obvious step IMHO.
 
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I was tormented by burning, pins and needles, until eliminating green olives; which I love and ate frequently. Very quick improvement so went on to eliminated anything olive (black olives, oil). Couple of years now and no recurrence. Weird and I don’t know why but thankful for such an easy fix. Been more than two years. Staying the course.
 
I began having that issue, mainly over the past year. Just tingling, like my feet feel asleep but fortunately, no pain and all. My Dr (for diabetics, etc) suggested I take vitamin B-12, 2500 mg, and after 6 months said to dial it back to 1,000 - 1,200 milligrams per day which I do. So far, so good, but the feet tingle and nothing more. No pain, but, I'm watching it. I have a 6.6 A1C level that popped up in the last 2 years, so I'm hoping it doesn't get worse. Good Luck and I wish you well !!!
 
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