Can neuropathy in my feet cause balance problems?

I, also, have been diagnosed with the big N. Have had it for many years and the last five or so have been wicked. I also have a very bad knee which was going to be replaced and then the pandemic stopped all elective surgery. At that time I started using crutches to get around. To me that was much easier and more convenient than a walker and easier to manipulate in tight quarters, etc. and I just stuck with that method of assisted movement. I also cannot put much weight on the knee because of the pain. Stepping down on that foot while using a walker would be of no help to my pain level. I have quite a bit of numbness, too so replacing my knee at this time doesn't make much sense . I am soon to be 84.
I find crutches and a very handy way for me to get around, take up much less space, and are easily manipulated to get me where I painfully need to go. I do need to keep up with upper body exercises to be able to use my crutches every day as I do, as well as others for my Neuropathy.
I have a friend who also uses crutches as her main form of locomotion and has her pair all tricked out! Her kids bought her a pair that look like tree branches and she decorates them for the seasons....quite a sight! Helps get us both through some rough days, I tell ya!!

Agree! I am living proof. As the numbness increased, the quality of my balance decreased. Of course, our friends at Medicare will pay for PT, up to a certain dollar amount each calendar year, provided there is improvement. That's the tough part.

My balance is worse if I close my eyes….like, rinsing in the shower I have to grab the bar. It is also off if I turn quickly. So, I try to keep my eyes open and slow down. 🙁

Voxxlife patches have helped my balance. I have neuropathy caused by chemo for breast cancer.

Agree...can't close eyes with bad balance. With numbness and eyes closed, you lose 2 of 3 senses needed for balance. So, I use Johnson's Baby Shampoo...no burning of eyes and I have 2 suction cup grab bars in shower as well. They cost about $20 per and take them with you if your travel.

@ebero
@njed
Yep, closed eyes is a guaranteed trip to the floor for me. I closed my eyes the other day and fell out of the shower. I thought the shower door was going to break but it didn't. Baby shampoo is a good idea Ed (njed)
Jake

Hi I have only numbness no pain in my feet. I have had it for about 4 years then when I was Dx with Multiple Myeloma in 2019 it is much worse but still no pain. I have balance problems and walk with a cane. I know the chemo pills I take made it much worse. I'm 68 and just take my time. Good Luck to you !!

yes, Medicare will pay for it but unfortunately for me I belong to quite possibly one of the worst HMOs around..Kaiser. I call it "medicine light". I wanted physical therapy because I know from prior experience what benefits there can be. But Kaiser (except for things like a knee replacement) will only allow me to see a PT ONE time where they do exercises then at the end instead of a return appt I get handouts so I can do them at home. Does not matter their hand outs are hieroglyphics or that I have no place to do these exercises, even if I could remember them. My balance became very dangerous within a short period of time. My PC doc told me mostly it was due to my age (just turned 70 beg of august 2023) and to stop taking the gabapentin. It has gotten slightly better since stopping the gabapentin. Unfortunately, the neuropathy in my ankles/feet is sometimes nearly unbearable. I can only dream of the glorious help physical therapy could be.

@jakedduck1 - Jake - Try the grab bars/handles they work great and offer balance getting in and out of shower and while showering. Best $20 I ever spent on Amazon! I have the ones that have a snap down lever which makes the suction cups stick to the wall. About 12 - 14 inches long. Ed

Ed - Do you have a particular brand that has been successful for you? I LOVE them, and use them frequently, but I replace more often than I'd like. They stop adhering properly. I am thankful for the designs that allow you to see a color (red) when it's not on tight, plus I always know to check that they are firmly intact before I enter the shower in time. I use 2 small bars in my showers for the locations I find most useful. I have replaced 3 in the past year where neither lasted 3 months (2 were same brand/batch, $25 & lasted 1 month each). Before that, the ones I had seemed to last closer to 2 years but I haven't seen ones that look like them. I'd rather not pay more than $30 for a 16"-18" bar, but whatever I spend, I'd like the suction to be more reliable. (trust me, it hasn't been user, my engineer husband couldn't fix them)