Is there any help at all for foot numbness in PN

Posted by wascaly @wascaly, Oct 27 9:27am

I’ve had PN several years. I’m not diabetic (amazingly), and I don’t have pain in my feet - just this horrible numbness, mainly in my left foot (sometimes both feet), leading to the fear of falling, AGAIN!

I’m wondering if anyone has found ANYTHING to help. I’ve spent buckets of money on creams, plus I’ve seen all kinds of expensive gadgets advertised on TV. I’m hesitant to buy any of them, since they look like versions of snake oil.

Has anyone had ANY relief from this horrific and DANGEROUS numbness?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Bless you, @dlydailyhope of what you wrote.. thanks. I believe Christ is within me as His Holy Spirit. I so enjoy of neat stuff of other people like you. Yes, I have broken my brain losing 80% of normal place. But I’m here. And having a fantastic wife for the last 42 years.

REPLY

Good evening @wascaly, I have also been challenged by neuropathy in both of my feet. As I look back, I recall that my feet began to be numb shortly after I was tested for SFN, small fiber neuropathy at least 10+ years ago. I had just finished the SFN test in my left ankle and the neurologist was explaining the cause of the situation. He told me how sorry he was that I would have to cope with the numbness, especially in my left foot.

A few weeks later I had my first MFR session with a new therapist. She also took notice of the numb diagnosis and explained the treatment process. Although her MFR treatment style is considerably helpful, I have had to increase the therapy time to two hours a week.

Another long-time friend and MFR expert is a Mayo Connect group member. She has helped me learn how to apply the MFR teachings by myself with appropriate tools. Let's see if @jenniferhunter can share some information about effective tools for you.
Chris

REPLY
@artscaping

Good evening @wascaly, I have also been challenged by neuropathy in both of my feet. As I look back, I recall that my feet began to be numb shortly after I was tested for SFN, small fiber neuropathy at least 10+ years ago. I had just finished the SFN test in my left ankle and the neurologist was explaining the cause of the situation. He told me how sorry he was that I would have to cope with the numbness, especially in my left foot.

A few weeks later I had my first MFR session with a new therapist. She also took notice of the numb diagnosis and explained the treatment process. Although her MFR treatment style is considerably helpful, I have had to increase the therapy time to two hours a week.

Another long-time friend and MFR expert is a Mayo Connect group member. She has helped me learn how to apply the MFR teachings by myself with appropriate tools. Let's see if @jenniferhunter can share some information about effective tools for you.
Chris

Jump to this post

I feel your pain !
I have suffered for 24 years.
Controlling my sugar helps.
I also wear PN compression socks at night. Really helps.
I am on Tramodol and Gabapentin at sunset. I find it starts in the evening.
I’ve had injections. Never helped. I go for foot reflexology. Fancy name for a great leg and foot message. It’s hard to stay still but it does help.
I wet and freeze white cotton socks to numb the pain. I find alcohol makes it worse. Especially the next day. What is your cause.
Mine was Pernicious anemia and diabetes. Best of luck .

REPLY

Being it is in one foot it could be nerve compression.
Have you had nerve studies.

REPLY

@wascaly Since you are not diabetic, there possibly may be a physical cause for your numbness in your foot. Do you have any issues with your back, hips or spine? I ask that because there are some nerve compression syndromes that can come from a misaligned pelvis that will mimic a spine problem and can cause sciatic pain. You can also just have tight muscle and fascia as Mentor Chis mentioned. Doing yoga type stretches and holding that for at least 5 minutes may start to loosen tight muscle and fascia. It takes that long because the fascia actually reorganizes itself and becomes elastic again and regains the ability to slide with movement. It may be stuck, and that also affects how well the electric nerve impulses are transmitted to and from the muscles.

Have you tried working on range of motion with a physical therapist?

REPLY
@wascaly

Thanks so much for your response and for letting me know I’m not the only one!
I have a theory but none of the medical professionals will acknowledge it.
In 2008, I had my first surgery for scoliosis. It was actually a 2-day procedure. I had to wear this awful turtle shell contraption for 6 months, feeling like some kind of freak. Then approximately 2 years later, I had another surgery to fuse my L5.
I can’t exactly remember when the PN was diagnosed, but the foot numbness gradually got worse. Now, in 2024, I can hardly walk. I use a walker, but only since I fell in 2023, and had to have yet another horrific surgery that pretty much sealed the deal for me. Before the broken hip, I used a cane.
Anyway, at age 74, my numbness has only gotten worse and worse. My aforementioned theory is the PN happened as a result of the very first surgery in 2008 for scoliosis, which was on my LEFT side. Hence, the main numbness in my LEFT foot. Not one of these professionals will even entertain the possibility. That, alone, baffles me.
Now, I’m far from being a doctor; however, I just can’t help but think the numbness in my LEFT foot (mainly) is related to the 1st surgery for scoliosis on my LEFT side.

In the meantime, I just continue to suffer with no relief in sight.

Jump to this post

Hello John, I am trying to get a reply. from this post. Please advise who is HSS and Dr. Positano? Please tell us what and where is Electrical Impulse Therapy?? Thank You

REPLY
@gba

Please advise who is HSS and Dr. Positano? Please tell us what and where is Electrical Impulse Therapy?? Thank You

Jump to this post

Hospital for special surgery in NYC..Im going to contact Positano to find out the device he uses. I have numbness but no pain and am trying to arrest this with ALA , red light therapy and electro stimulation. I also do regular resistance training ,rowing and foot massages. Keep me posted on your progress.

REPLY

I was fitted for custom made foot orthotics in August of this year. Since wearing them I have noticed a definite improvement in the level of foot and lower leg discomfort. They have not eliminated the pain totally but have certainly made a significant improvement. Although expensive, custom Orthotics are worth a try.
John

REPLY

Thanks for your response.
I do have a script for orthotics so I guess I need to look into shoe lifts, if for no other reason to be free of this walker,
Unfortunately, even though I may be able to walk easier, it still won’t be a remedy for my original complaint of this awful, relentless numbness.
Good luck to you.

REPLY

Barefoot Shoes really do help for numbness & stiffness by strengthening calves & ankles which also helps with balance. Go to Amazon for information & many choices.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.