Today I had my first pedicure since my peripheral neuropathy raised its nasty head. It was uncomfortable at times but I'm hoping that after a few of these, my toes will not be so darn sensitive. Can anyone tell me about your experience with pedicures? Did they help or hurt you?

Thanks and I hope everyone is having a great week-end,
nancy-h

Well, every time Alan goes to the foot doctor, that man can cut his toes, bang his toes, pull back the nails on his toes, do ANYTHING HE WANTS TO HIS TOES , Alan feels nothing. One time the doctor was filing down his nails with this drill type thing and he said "I can't believe you dont' feel this, it's absolutely amazing".

So I gather that PN presents differently in everybody. Some people have no feeling and others might have too much feeling, right?

Mel

I've tried it, and I can't stand it when they touch the bottom of my feet! The arch of my foot is soooo sensitive that it hurts. I soak my own feet... scrub my own heels and feet, then my daughters paint my toes for me. Not because they want to, but because I do such a TERRIBLE job, they say they are embarassed to go out in public with me! I only have to have them do it once a month, and it isn't bad! If you can stand it, go for it! Just be really careful of them cutting your toes and you not feeling it!

I LOVE love love having my nails done, and will tolerate the pain to have them done as long as possible! That is my one luxury I give myself. We all have our own treats, so indulge as long as you think it's safe.

Terri

I have had Pn for 10 years and I am a nurse and diabetic and as mad as dh gets I allow myself a monthly pedicure since they will let us know if our numb areas are injured and anyone with Pn needs foot care in the worst way!!

subject?

Pedicures? Do you mean by a person that does the cuticle and nail polish thing? OR the Podiatrist that does the snip and scalpel thing! For me it's the latter...regular as clockwork every 6-10 weeks! This guy is the one who'd saved my life after all! It was HE who didn't like what I was relaying to him about what the [now former] neuro was saying about my neuropathy. Bless Him! The podiatrist that is.....

I have to say I used to go just because the footbath was well better than a heck of a lot of things! Now, tho I skip the bath-too much input to nerves not trained. Good news tho, each time I go, I get a teeny tiny bit almost giggly as he scalpels the scaly heels....He has been my best barometer as to progress, however small, progress. I really don't mind when he has to do the 'ingrown toe' excavation thing...I simply gasp and he puts more temporary freeze stuff on the sites. He's helped me keep my feet reasonably whole w/the armory of lotions potions and gels at his disposal. Some even work - tho they can strip the finish off the furniture [NO KIDDING!].

Gotta tell you BEFORE PN, I used to giggle like a toddler as my feet were soo tickly! Little giggles? Well, they equal a tad of hope? Besides, it's the ONLY time I truly stupidly giggle.

Pain free moments, then minutes then more! Lets all get greedy here! - j

I love them, but find them worrisome. I have had pedicurists who cut the cuticle too much and caused me to get infected, and some who just don't get it that they have to go light with me. On the other hand, podiatrists don't have a sense of the aesthetics of the thing. I'm thinking of switching to a podiatrist, just to get checked. I've had soemthing that "felt" like an ingrown toenail for almost a month, and there's nothing there; on the other hand, my son noticed in the airport yesterday that there was blood gushing from one of my big toes. Obviously, I'd dropped the suitcase on it, or banged it, or something, but didn't feel it at all, and couldn't really tell what the damage was. He had to check it out and tell me I'd ripped a toenail. I still don't feel it.

Some pedicure places let you keep your own tools there. I see lots of women in NY who just bring their own each time, also.