Peripheral Neuropathy life changing

Yes know what you mean about abbreviations drives you mad. Sorry to hear your plight. Sometimes I go off balance so some of my lovely boots can no longer wear. Don't want to risk breaking a bone or worse. It's a drag having peripheral neuropathy and a mystery. All very strange.

@pnpam75 and @orsons - Sorry about the abbreviation. AFO - ankle foot orthotics. I have drop foot with peripheral neuropathy and tripped a few times. Was fitted with these orthotics which keep the foot from dropping down and tripping. It fits inside my sneaks and a strap goes around the lower leg and keeps my ankle at about a 90-degree angle so the foot can't get "caught" and then trip. These also improved my balance by more than 70%. Prescription was needed and issued by my primary doctor. Then went to a company that specializes in the fitting and sale of such items.

Thank you!

They sound very good. Haven't got drop foot yet but do go off balance at times. I will have to find out when I see neurologist in August about this sort of thing. Trouble is I love Doctor Martens!

My mother at around age 75 had PN after having had chemotherapy and was in terrible pain. I found a PT who would treat her IF she would take an over-the-counter vitamin combination (Extra Strength Nerve Support Formula by RHP Health Products). It was by mail order and expensive for a variety of vitamins, mostly various vitamin Ds.

She took the vitamins and felt a lot better and also received treatments from the PT for awhile although she found them painful. After awhile just the vitamins were all she needed.

I ended up also with PN and also take those same vitamins daily for the last 25 years and they help a LOT. I also have foot reflexology twice a month. And, acupuncture, a massage session a PT session, and a Feldenkrais session monthly too, a lot of variety of bodywork. (I am a CranioSacral Therapist myself so aware of a variety of potential non-mediated solutions.)

I do not have any foot pain now, and can feel my feet. I do cardio at my gym 3-5 times a week plus 1-2 sessions of strength training weekly. I do stretching exercises given to me by my PT most every day for between 15-20 minutes.

I also eat mostly organic food, and am growing my own when I can. I do have other medical issues that I've had various medical treatments for. I still work 3/4 time and have an active brain, see friends, read, and spend time monitoring my lifestyle and noticing in-the-moment how I'm feeling along with checking in with myself at the end of each day for what I'm grateful for.

My clients and friends say I look 20-25 years younger than my actual age. I have a positive attitude and tend to look for the blessings and opportunities in life. I also tend to sleep between 8-9 hours a night which helps a lot too.

I love what I do professionally and see clients in-person, helping them live a better life themselves. By staying busy and in-the-moment I avoid spending time worrying about all the negative things that can happen. Being cautious helps too, not rushing, holding onto hand railings, etc. Noticing the beauty in nature daily too rather than dwelling on all the aches and pains (I have them too) helps me live a better quality of life that is mostly pain free when I take good care of myself.

Good for you. We can't all be so perfect.

I wish I were so perfect! I'm focusing on what I can control and hoping to maintain my independence. I do have medical issues that I am hoping to self-manage or improve.

I'm at choice about where I want to spend my energy (or lack of). I'd like to emulate my father, who worked full time until he was 92 (he loved his job), who lived such a healthy life, he worked hard, ate healthy, had a positive attitude, maintained his exercise (swimming twice and walking) daily and lived an active lifestyle.

On weekends he slept very late though after having awakened around 6 a.m. on weekdays to commute 2 hours a day. (I don't know how he had that much energy!) He lived until he was a week short of 98.

From what you say it's genetics. I have to be honest with you that I was very active until I got peripheral neuropathy together with other ailments and it's made me feel negative. Presently though I am on a high which I haven't had in two years I have had manic depression for many years which has worsened as I've got older. I also have a partner with serious health issues he is 84. He is a very positive person fortunately. You are right about having a positive attitude and a surely wish I could be the same but the manic depression coupled with the health issues is probably what is the danger for me. I am retired was a PA to director of our local hospital. Used to swim a mile at the pool three times a week and walk there and back. I did a lot of other things but having peripheral neuropathy has been the the biggest thing. Manic Depression is absolutely awful to but the medications are all rubbish so I'm unmedicated but see a doctor for it as I do neurologist. You surely will be like your Dad. I hope my partner survives to that. He isn't that active though due to his condition. COPD and heart failure amongst other things. When I read your article you just sounded as if you were all okay. Well you aren't now I know but you won't be beaten. That's great but genetics I would say comes into play.

Out of curiosity, how much do you take daily?

Have you tried Gabapentin?