Legs weakness with Idiopathic Feet Neuropathy

@johnnyguitar
Hopefully your doctor has evaluated your weakness since there are so many causes of weakness. I’ve had neuropathy for well over 30 years. Closer to 40
years. It started with soreness of my feet and all the various agonizing pain sensations. Eventually the pain went away and was replaced with numbness as the condition worsened. Unfortunately other complications followed, including leg weakness, bladder & bowel issues. Also ED with lack of sensation & numbness to varying degrees in the urethra and bowel. My neuropathy is stage 4 and considered permanent. I took 3,600 mg of Neurontin and also Lyrica neither of which helped the neuropathy or my seizures. I never searched for cures by way of nutrition, vitamins, minerals, various devices, other types of medications or alternative treatments although I did take opioids for other problems and the Fentanyl patch was the most effective. I read quite a bit of people searching for cures but read little regarding about them being successful in easing neuropathy symptoms. I go to physical & occupational therapy for my weakness and balance issues caused by neuropathy and exacerbated by seizures and seizure medications.
Jake

@johnnyguitar
What did your MRIs show? Do you have any stenosis/degenerative disc disease/myelopathy (spinal cord compression/flattening), disc bulges/bone spurs? Do you have neurogenic clarification in your lumbar spine (I do). I have upper/lower limb weakness/numbness and symptoms started with burning/pins and needles in feet and headaches/neck/shoulder pain and now my whole body is affected. My EMGs are supposedly “normal” except for carpal tunnel like weakness caused by cervical spondylitic myelopathy. I was told by my neurologist that there is no cure for my small fiber neuropathy and only medication. PT does help maintain some strength and vitamin/mineral supplements help with deficiency caused neuropathy. Viruses (active/dormant reactivated) and COVID vaccines/infections have been linked to some neurological impacts. I am having lumbar surgery l4-l5 and possibly more levels due to back/hip/buttock/leg/foot pain/numbness/weakness. I have neurogenic claudication which I understand not only causes neurological impact but also blood flow/circulation impacting lower body.

@johnnyguitar
*Correction. Neurogenic claudication, not clarification. Just love that autocorrect.😉

I've had about every test, the good news is from my brain to my knees I'm in Good shape for being 72. Only thing found was small degree of Arthritis in Sciatic nerve. It's a complete mystery to my Neurologist who is the best one I've seen. I've been classified in the 30% of Neuropathy patients that have no reason nor cure. The last Doctor I am going to see is a podiatrist and then PT, this is all Being done here in Cheyenne at the VA. One of the best I have ever seen and I've seen quite a few.

Exactly same for all Symptoms you have, my condition also I believe started 30 years ago with simple not being able to power walk and just jogged on my toes thought it was the Indian in me, didn't give it much more thought, my kids said I made a lot of noise stomping my feet again didn't think much of it, then 15 years go by and Balance problems
the extreme pins, needles and numbness hits and it been down hill from there.
Gabapentin Civillian Docs for years which caused extreme fatigue now thanks to VA I'm doing so much better with no side effects of Pregabalin (Lyrica). That's my story.

I hope PT works for you. While Gabapentin does help me with some of my PN symptoms, it was only leg and arm strengthening PT and exercises that help me overcome the weakness can come with PN. Hoping the best for you

Thank you, As far as Gabapentin Every Body is different is my Creed. Gabapentins side effects of a Super Sleep pill was Terrible. For me Pregabalin has been a Godsend. As far as PT thank you it's like a lot of things for Me I know its Good but I don't do it, and consequently there are consequences to both actions and inactions. I've got do it or continue to suffer. Nothing ventured Nothing gained. Thank you and God Bless you.

No such thing as “ normal progression”. with this beast. Too many variables. Presume you had a thorough endocrine workup to rule out diabetes and related underlying pancreatic dysfunctions. Swimming helped me with PN related leg, foot issues. But you have to do it just about daily.

Check the side effects of all your meds. You may have a low sodium issue. Seizure meds lower sodium, low sodium can cause muscle pain and bring on seizures, it's a vicious cycle for a lot of us.

I have seizures and neuropathy, the neuropathy started 15 years ago, reason unknown. It started with the loss of feeling in the bottom of my feet, the pain started a few years later. Vitamin B12 injections every 2 weeks and lidocaine patches give me some relief. Today is one of my bad days with almost unbearable pain. it been 10 days since my last B12 injection, don't know if there's a connection.

The seizures started after a car accident 25 years ago. It took 5 years and 6 neurologist to find the right mix of meds to get my seizures under control. Seizures came back with a vengeance after a bad fall in October 2023.

My neurologist added Levetiracetam (Keppra) to my meds 4 weeks ago, Keppra and other seizure meds can cause muscle pain, however, this pain feels deep in the bone. I'm calling my neurologist today about alternative medication.

Don't know where to go from here.

Excellent I was on the swim team as a kid, Grandson is learning level 4 Actually I was amazed at the help I got from swimming with him, That's going to be my plan I can swim for 7 bucks a day cheap therapy for sure. 👍