Hello from 1WelshGirl.

NOTE: I may have had past symptoms which I dismissed or were explained with other conditions. At this time, I don't have an official diagnosis but we know what it is not - diabetes, autoimmune, or MS - an MRI confirmed that. I have nerve conductivity tests scheduled, possibly more blood work after that.

For the last month, I've been experiencing bilateral peripheral neuropathy, especially in my feet. I feel like I'm walking on hot, desert sand all the time, my toes even feel like they have grit inside. They are progressively getting stiff, making walking a challenge mostly because bending creates more pain. Our fan and any light touch sends searing pain through my foot making it troublesome getting anything near my feet; now the carpet causes my pain. At night, they spasm with wicked, sharp, electric pain, which has me in tears and leaves me with little restful sleep. The balls of my feet feel hot and painful and I have numbing on top of my feet and up my legs. One leg is weaker than the other and without the gripping action of my toes, I now have a cane for balance.

I've been walking barefoot in my house up until now and have worn minimalist, barefoot shoes continually for 10+yrs. I'm now confronted with purchasing new shoes and socks.

If the socks get my feet hot, the pain index increases, any pressure, even lightly, the pain increases. If I've been on my feet for too long -which varies day to day- the pain and spasms at night reflects that. I'm in a quandary where to look or what to do regarding shoes and socks. All of the diabetic or neuropathy shoes have a thick sole and no proprioception, which doesn't help my balance issue or ability to feel the ground.

Does anyone have suggestions where to look for socks - moisture wicking, heavily padded, etc., and ones that aren't horribly expensive? I may have found some shoes that could work, starting at the sock level is first so I have a good base for my shoe size.

I'd appreciate any information and thank you!

You might also look on our RSD/CRPS forum for shoe , sock ideas.
The fan and light touch issues made me think of RSD/CRPS..

Hey 1WelshGirl,

Sorry to hear of your terrible symptoms. Something you may not be aware of is Metatarsal Pads that fit over your toes and under your socks and cushion the balls of your feet.
I get temporary hyper-sensitivity of the balls of my feet (metatarsalgia) if I overdo planks and these pads for me allow me to walk and run without discomfort as and when. I appreciate your symptoms are in a different world, but Metatarsal Pads maybe worth trying. I paid £11.99 for 2 pairs from Amazon.

Pob gorau cariad,

Atty

OP: I can a few things that help me with neuropathy I've dealt with for 10 long yrs from hip replacement surgery.

Cotton socks.
Topricin Homeopathic Lotion --- Great for pain and neuropathy....It's the best, I use other stuff and keep going with the Topricin.

Inosine has really given me a lot of relief with the Burn/Tingle.

I've posted a lot here but the 3 above for now are brief and what helps me a lot.

Hi 1WelshGirl,

Welcome!

It sounds as if your neuropathy is making you very miserable. I hope that your doctors will be able to find some answers for you. Quite often the problem turns out to be a dietary deficiency (or overload) or some supplement or medicine a person is taking but they've probably checked into all of those possibilities with you.

You might find diabetic socks helpful. I wear them and they seem indestructible and comfortable. You can find them on Amazon.

I had to change my shoe preferences completely after having too much back pain and being told that improper shoes might be causing it. I had been wearing slippers indoors (Dearfoams or Isotoners) and canvas shoes AKA tennis shoes outdoors. They were cheap and lightweight and washable.

I had to give up on them and switch to diabetic shoes about 15 years ago but I'm glad I did even though the diabetic shoes aren't very attractive and, like you, I don't like the thick soles.

Every year when it's time to replace these shoes I try hard to find the lightest-weight shoes I can find. I comb through the catalog and even call the company and ask about the weight of their shoes, since it isn't usually given in the catalog description.

I shoot for a 7-oz. shoe but it's hard to find. Currently I'm settling for an 11-oz. shoe.

The weight of the shoe makes a huge difference in my balance.

Welcome 1WeshGirl.