Feet
 

I'm new to this board.

My feet, especially my right foot, have become numb to the point that I cannot detect the brake and gas pedals in my car. Haven't driven in 12 weeks since the day I zoomed into the garage and smashed into the kitchen wall. I am undergoing traction water therapy. Also taking Metanx and started B12 injections today. Any suggestions or comments will be welcome.

Does this sound like a Proprioception issue or Neuropathy?

Do Metanx and B12 help?

Thanks,

Sam

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I am sorry this is happening to you.

Metanx contains considerable B12. If you take it on an empty stomach, you should not need an extra version.

If you take more than one Metanx a day, that may be too much B6 for you. People who cannot tolerate B6, can develop numbness from it.
Might be a good idea to get some blood work on B6 and the B12 so you will know what is going on with you so you can use those supplements more constructively.

Feet
 

Thanks. Any other tips for treatment? I'd like to be able to drive again.

Samboh--
 

--what kind of work-up or testing have you had to get to the source of your symptoms?

Certainly numb feet can result from peripheral neuropathy, but it can also result from vascular disease or a number of other causes, including spinal problems. (The traction water therapy implies that someone thinks there's a spinal issue.)

Also check your shoes. If you use tie-up types, don't tie too
tightly. There are nerves on the top of the foot, and if you compress them that can cause numbness. If you tie too tightly all the time, you can damage them.

Have you been to a good podiatrist and had a work up to show
any mechanical issues with the feet, bones, ligaments and nerves?

Usually PN will start with tingling/pain of some sort. This progresses to numbness if not intercepted quickly. Did you have other symptoms before the numbness?

We really need to have you tell us more about yourself. It is difficult to comment otherwise. Metanx and/or B12 only work if you were LOW in the nutrients to begin with, for example.

Hi samboh
I have the same problem.
Can't feel pressure with the right foot.
If you have an auto, get used to using your left foot on the brake.
Sometimes if my right foot cramps up I have to use my left foot on the gas too.

More info on Feet post
 

Thanks for your thoughts. My numb feet issue seemed to come about at the same time as my problem with L4/L5. I got an epidural steroid shot which erased the pain but was left with the foot situation. As back story, I was diagnosed as TIA about six years ago. Metanx quickly helped this. My doctors have mentioned Proprioception and Neuropathy but nobody has given this diagnosis definitively. Yes, the water traction is to decompress the spine.
No podiatrist yet. Thanks!

Perhaps it is time to get some hand controls. Just a thought.

Ah, what happens if you have it in your hands as well?

Are you saying that you have numb hands as well? I see from your other post that you use your left foot on the gas when your right foot is cramped up. Is that correct? Check this out where you get hand controls. There should be a solution. JMO

I was posting to Sam that hand controls should be checked out for the numb foot problem.

I hope you find the answer.

:I-Agree:
If Sam cannot adapt (re-learn to drive) with his feet the proper way, this seems the next best option. Personally, I can't get on board with driving with the left or both feet; it's an extreme safety hazard. Using both feet can wind up "riding the brake" & driving with the brake lights on (especially if the pedals can't be felt), cause undo wear on the brakes, and reduce safe control. When crossed over, the left foot can get caught under the brake pedal; better to get/use a left foot accelerator pedal.

Google: adaptive driving for some safer solutions ;)

Doc

Nothing wrong with left foot braking, Ive always driven auto's that way.
Know lots of other people that do as well. Seems natural to me, two pedals, two feet. Used to drive a van once that had the steering column between the pedals, was no way you could get your right foot on the brake.
Especially now I have PN I can leave my right foot on the gas.
Let foot isn't quite as bad so can still feel where the pedal is.
I have a paraplegic neighbour with hand control on his vehicle.
Had occation to drive it recently & it made my carple tunnel play up same as when riding a bike.
I agree with you re could be a hazzard.
Guy used to work with me years ago had a prosthetic right leg.
Got it under the brake pedal once & took out a motor bike, very nasty accident.