[Hope15]

Does everyone who gets neuropathy in their feet necessarily go numb, or lose the ability to walk or stand? Does it depend on what kind of neuropathy one has?

Also, when there are balance problems, does that have to do only with problems with the feet? Or is it mainly a brain problem, and it can hit people even when they don't have neuropathy in their feet?

I have come across some people who have reversed or lessened their symptoms in their feet. Can this happen with those with ideopathic neuropathy as well as with people who find the cause?

I'm still fairly new to this and trying to figure it out.....

[Ron9]

I don't have insurance and extra money these days but ...

I was able to get some testing by and direct questions answered by a neuro.

My main concern was ..... how long am I going to be able to walk. That (in my case) was actually ...... how much longer am I going to be able to ride. I've had a motorcycle (or two or three) for 50 years now. That is my main way to clear my head. There is nothing in the world (to me) like getting my face in the wind after a winter.

I don't leave the house all that much (no need to) so when I do - I want to enjoy it.

He said "none of my PN patients can not walk - none are even in a wheelchair". That to me was good news.

Reading between the lines ...... I think what he really said was - you will be gone before the PN gets that bad.

There is nothing really all that wrong with me (other than the PN) but .. I am 63 years old. I took it as ...... PN will not be the cause - if I am ever unable to walk.

I think he told me the truth as he saw it.

----------

Back in 1981 when tinitus came over me (screaming in my ears). I ask a well known expert on it ........... how bad is this going to get. I was afraid it would end up getting worse and making me go out of my mind.

He had a (humm look on his face) and said.

I've never know it to get worse ...........

All of these years later - it has not changed one single bit.

I believed the ear Dr (about the noise in my ears) and believed the neuro about me losing my ability to walk.

I don't believe everything I am told but ..... in both of those cases - I saw the honesty come over their face and eyes - when ask a direct question.

[hoibie@comcast.net]

I have numbness in the front half of both feet, especially the toes. I recognize that I have balance problems when I change direction suddenly. I haven't fallen, but do things slow enough so I can prevent any problem.

I took a class in Tai Chi which helped me considerably in minimizing a balance problem. The secret is in knowing how to shift your weight from one leg to the other.

[echoes long ago]

Not everyone who gets PN has numbness and most people dont lose their ability to stand or walk. Some people have numbness and balance issues, some use walkers or wheelchairs. Many people have pain or tingling with no numbness.

I think most people with PN with balance problems also have numbness . You cannot feel where your feet and /or legs are and need your eyes to balance. It also causes you to trip over things and twist your ankle more easily. Some people have balance problems from problems in their inner ears, which is not PN related.

Ideopathic just means no cause known, depending on what the cause really is and if it is treated early on with supplements and diet and medicine if the cause is found the progression can be slowed, halted or even reversed.

A significant number of people never have any symptoms in their feet at all depending on the type of PN.

That is what makes PN such a fun disease or condition, you never how how you will be affected. It is all very unpredicatable. The best thing you can do for yourself is to create the best conditions you possibly can as early as you can in its progression.

[dllfo]

Interesting reading. I am sorry you are having problems. I am having similar problems, but my Neurologist and Rheumatologist are having problems figuring it all out.

I have one important difference. Let me see if I can say this correctly.

My system is working differently now. It appears my "malfunctioning" parts do not go through normal channels. That is, normally, my brain knows my foot is sore or in pain and I know not to put weight on it. Now, my conscious brain does not know my foot is in pain or "malfunctioning", therefore when I put weight on it, I fall. I have fell fifteen or twenty times so far.

I asked my Rheumatologist if that made sense and he did not give me a straight answer. I had my wife with me. Since the detox off morphine, my memory is .... not good. My wife says he did not really answer this statement. I was hoping he might say it was this nerve, or this disease and we can start fighting it. No such luck.

I was walking down some stairs and when I put weight on my left foot, it would not "accept the weight" and I fell. Sprained both ankles. One night I was walking down the hall in our house and both knees "quit working". I fell again.

My feet do not go numb, but ... I don't know. Really weird. I wish you luck in your search for some answers.

[darlindeb25]

I started out backwards, I guess. The first symtom for me was numb feet. My feet would burn, then go numb, especially my toes. At that time, I was working fulltime as a dept manager at Kmart, and on my feet all day, on cement floors no less. I could never find a shoe that was comfy, nothing pleased my feet. That was 7 or 8 yrs ago. 4 yrs ago, I started taking B12 1000mcg, then about 2 yrs ago or so, I moved up to 3000mcg. My feet very rarely go numb now. I can't say all the symptoms are gone, but they are much better.

I have sensory neuropathy, probably due to nutritional deficiencies, because of a gluten intolerance.

Just keep reading and researching.

[nide44]

Originally Posted by Hope15

.......... Does it depend on what kind of neuropathy one has?.........
.......I have come across some people who have reversed or lessened their symptoms in their feet. Can this happen with those with ideopathic neuropathy as well as with people who find the cause?..........

The proper treatment can be linked to the cause of the neuropathy, but the general treatments from your doc will probably be very similar to what most of us do for our PN.
There are over 75 different meds used to treat PN and related pain. Knowing the cause can help there. Proper diet/nutrition, exercise, vitamins, supplements and meds, are the only known treatment. There is not, as yet, a cure- so those you know, who have had Sx lessened or reversed, may have followed a program of meds & supplements.
Sadly, what works for one person- probably won't for another.
Its an individual program you have to develop thru trial & error. Ask others what they do & use, as a starting point. Learn as much as you can, keep up with developments & new treatments in the medical field.
Be wary of advertisements and claims & if it sounds too good to be true.......it probably is bogus.

[lynxgal]

I have balance problems, vertigo, tingling, numbness in part of one foot and on and off numbness in my hands and arms. My balance problems can go along with my vertigo as well as without the vertigo.

I have a confirmed bilateral vestibular dysfunction that is apparently linked to my PN. Demylination of the vestibular nerves is sometimes seen with PN or so I have been told by my PN specialist.

[spkar0517]

It is strange that your neuropathy has kept you on your feet. Almost immediately I was unable to walk. Take a step without falling in excrutiating pain. only treatment with prednisone has given me the ability to walk again, but now symptoms seem to be extending to arms. I am surprised there is so little information and detail on this and how works

[jakatak]

My PN has stayed in my toes. It burns and aches from where each foot had a nerve removed for suspected Morton's Neuroma. One nerve was taken from between my 3rd and 4th toe of the left foot. The right foot had the nerve removed from between the 2nd and 3rd toe. That foot became infected and had to be opened a second time to remove the staph infection and it was quite the mess. I was on a midline for several months and the foot was opened and packed. Not pretty. This foot is the worst when it comes to pain. The damage has not moved from the two points of surgery. I suspect I am fortunate as far as the PN not moving.