HEALTH Peripheral neuropathy - question

bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Is there anyone here who has peripheral neuropathy so advanced that they can’t feel their feet? My DH does, and he recently received some shoes he had ordered online.

The question: How can he tell if his shoes actually fit? Any tricks or tips?

His previous shoes were all from his foot doctor’s office, so they would fit them.

Thanks!
 
Great Northwet

Great Northwet

Veteran Member
I had a conversation with my doctor about this a month ago. Through some bloodwork we discovered that I had a Vitamin B-12 deficiency, so I started taking B-12 1000mcg daily. In about a month now I'm getting some feeling back in my feet. My condition was that it felt like my socks were bunched up around my toes, but I know they're not.

Also balance issues. I'm 62 yrs. old and physically active every day. I know I didn't specifically answer your question bev. PM me if you think I can assist further, but I am not a doctor.
 
bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Great Northwet said:
I had a conversation with my doctor about this a month ago. Through some bloodwork we discovered that I had a Vitamin B-12 deficiency, so I started taking B-12 1000mcg daily. In about a month now I'm getting some feeling back in my feet. My condition was that it felt like my socks were bunched up around my toes, but I know they're not.

Also balance issues. I'm 62 yrs. old and physically active every day. I know I didn't specifically answer your question bev. PM me if you think I can assist further, but I am not a doctor.
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I’m glad the B12 is helping you. We went through that years ago, and didn’t notice any change.

Balance issues are a problem now too, and DH has started carrying a cane sometimes, for “just in case.”

It sucks getting old.
 
ShyGirl

ShyGirl

Veteran Member
This may be a bit off track for this thread but it might help someone. My neuropathy was caused by chemo not diabetes. I take B12 also and that has slowly helped but here lately I have started wiggling my toes whenever I am sitting. Sounds funny I know. I always wiggled and crossed my toes when I was a kid cause it just felt good but now I've found the the extra movement of my toes is helping my neuropathy. My heel and arch area feel almost normal now and I am able to move my toes more and more. This hasn't happened overnight but with more concentrated toe movement I think I am improving. I also flex my feet up and then point my toes.
 
Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
Owner complains of peripheral neuropathy.

He says it feels like his feet have several layers of "thick wool socks." Also he has been woken up by "stabbing pains" in his toes. Not often this and not so much recently.

He attributes his PN to "riding too often in cramped airline seats" and the circulation problems resulting. There may be some sciatica involved too he thinks. The stabbing pain became more often after he took a fall on his bum on the ice, but has abated.

He was tested/explored by his doctor using a sharp probe - she (female doctor) confirmed the loss of nerve action but attributed it to "normal for your age."

So far he continues to wear his usual "sensible work shoes." He doesn't like boots but will wear a men's oxford tie shoe in a lug sole/work pattern. He finds the "Sketchers" work shoes to be wide enough for his feet.

Heh. He should try iron shoes.

Dobbin
 
M

MaryLu

Senior Member
My husband had diabetic neuropathy and on top of that chemo induced neuropathy. it was very painful at times and many nights he couldn’t sleep. Pain meds and gabapentin did little to relieve the pain. I started using red light therapy, aka LLLT, on him for 10 minutes once a day. Within 2 weeks his pain diminished by 25%, after another week he was down more than 50%. We added B12 to the routine and pain was reduced overall by 75%. I don’t know about reduction of numbness. I was concerned with comfort, he went Home last month.
 
colonel holman

colonel holman

Veteran Member
ShyGirl said:
This may be a bit off track for this thread but it might help someone. My neuropathy was caused by chemo not diabetes. I take B12 also and that has slowly helped but here lately I have started wiggling my toes whenever I am sitting. Sounds funny I know. I always wiggled and crossed my toes when I was a kid cause it just felt good but now I've found the the extra movement of my toes is helping my neuropathy. My heel and arch area feel almost normal now and I am able to move my toes more and more. This hasn't happened overnight but with more concentrated toe movement I think I am improving. I also flex my feet up and then point my toes.
Click to expand...
Active movement like that stimulates the nerves that sense motion and position, which inhibit the nerves that sense pain. Fits a PT’s mantra: “motion is lotion”

Effect usually short term but may prevent things from getting worse

I have seen LLLT work well for PN, as it improves local chemistry that mediates nerve-blood vessel function
 
colonel holman

colonel holman

Veteran Member
PN can alter balance, leading to falls (and fractures)

See a PT for falls prevention plan.

Simply trying to balance on one foot (while standing next to countertop to touch occasionally for safety), with target of balancing on one foot for 30 seconds each… is simple and very effective.

There are other very important and effective falls prevention drills.

Perhaps I will post a complete collection of these on a dedicated thread for those who may benefit
 
P

Pinecone

Has No Life - Lives on TB
MaryLu said:
My husband had diabetic neuropathy and on top of that chemo induced neuropathy. it was very painful at times and many nights he couldn’t sleep. Pain meds and gabapentin did little to relieve the pain. I started using red light therapy, aka LLLT, on him for 10 minutes once a day. Within 2 weeks his pain diminished by 25%, after another week he was down more than 50%. We added B12 to the routine and pain was reduced overall by 75%. I don’t know about reduction of numbness. I was concerned with comfort, he went Home last month.
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Prayers for you, MaryLu. May you find peace and comfort. It's a difficult road to walk. Reach out to us when you need to talk.
 
P

Pinecone

Has No Life - Lives on TB
colonel holman said:
PN can alter balance, leading to falls (and fractures)

See a PT for falls prevention plan.

Simply trying to balance on one foot (while standing next to countertop to touch occasionally for safety), with target of balancing on one foot for 30 seconds each… is simple and very effective.

There are other very important and effective falls prevention drills.

Perhaps I will post a complete collection of these on a dedicated thread for those who may benefit
Click to expand...
You stay in my prayers, too, Colonel. I hope you are doing well with your own issues.
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
colonel holman said:
PN can alter balance, leading to falls (and fractures)

See a PT for falls prevention plan.

Simply trying to balance on one foot (while standing next to countertop to touch occasionally for safety), with target of balancing on one foot for 30 seconds each… is simple and very effective.

There are other very important and effective falls prevention drills.

Perhaps I will post a complete collection of these on a dedicated thread for those who may benefit
Click to expand...

Back in 2016, my Mom attended a class (can't remember who put it on) at a Church (during the week) that was a balance class for Seniors who were having trouble.

It was wasted on her because she wouldn't do the exercises regularly.

Every time I would say the "E" word (exercise) she gave me a death glare.
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Great Northwet said:
I had a conversation with my doctor about this a month ago. Through some bloodwork we discovered that I had a Vitamin B-12 deficiency, so I started taking B-12 1000mcg daily. In about a month now I'm getting some feeling back in my feet. My condition was that it felt like my socks were bunched up around my toes, but I know they're not.

Also balance issues. I'm 62 yrs. old and physically active every day. I know I didn't specifically answer your question bev. PM me if you think I can assist further, but I am not a doctor.
Click to expand...

I started taking B12 and D3 again and my neuropathy is all but gone, some days I get some prickles but it’s no where nearly as bad as it was. It was brought on by the losartan BP med, that I’m no longer taking, I’m on lisinopril now. My joint and muscle pain is down by 80% and my knees are no longer swollen. Most days I can walk without my cane now. So much agony caused by a med that didn’t control my BP anyway, oh and the losartan had my asthma all jacked up as well. I’m 57.
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
MaryLu said:
My husband had diabetic neuropathy and on top of that chemo induced neuropathy. it was very painful at times and many nights he couldn’t sleep. Pain meds and gabapentin did little to relieve the pain. I started using red light therapy, aka LLLT, on him for 10 minutes once a day. Within 2 weeks his pain diminished by 25%, after another week he was down more than 50%. We added B12 to the routine and pain was reduced overall by 75%. I don’t know about reduction of numbness. I was concerned with comfort, he went Home last month.
Click to expand...
Could you tell us more about red light therapy? It’s recommended for people with Ehlers Danlos syndrome but no one on my area offers this therapy.

I’m sorry for your loss.
 
Carl2

Carl2

Pass it forward...
The free "Science X" newsletter I get had this item recently. As with most of their reports, it is speaking of a technology that is still under development.


shoe-technology-reduce-1.jpg

Shoe technology helps reduce risk of diabetic foot ulcers​


Researchers have developed a new shoe insole technology that helps reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers, a dangerous open sore that can lead to hospitalization and leg, foot or toe amputations.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I doubt it would take 4 hours to start showing points that are getting too much pressure.

Wear clean socks, put packing tape on the soles (or put a plastic bag over the shoe), and have him wear them for an hour. Take them off in bright light and immediately inspect the m9st common pressure spots... ball of foot, especially where the big toe joint is, heel and the outside joint by small toe.

But as someone said, many online places gave fairly liberal returns.

Summerthyme
 
bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
colonel holman said:
PN can alter balance, leading to falls (and fractures)

See a PT for falls prevention plan.

Simply trying to balance on one foot (while standing next to countertop to touch occasionally for safety), with target of balancing on one foot for 30 seconds each… is simple and very effective.

There are other very important and effective falls prevention drills.

Perhaps I will post a complete collection of these on a dedicated thread for those who may benefit
Click to expand...
That would be awesome, Colonel.
 
M

MaryLu

Senior Member
ShyGirl said:
Marylu: Can you give me some good places to research red light therapy or LLLT? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...
gaithappens.com

Red Light Therapy for Foot Neuropathy: An Alternative Treatment for Nerve Pain

Discover how red light therapy for foot neuropathy can offer relief and alleviate nerve pain. Explore this alternative treatment option and learn about its benefits, effectiveness, and potential side effects.
gaithappens.com gaithappens.com

I started using it to help my shoulders. I later came across studies on neuropathy and other things, yes Covid being one also. I dove deep into the science and what was being done. This one is in English and not med speak.
 
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