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.

@fred101

Ihave been living with horrific bofy inflammation that started in my left big te a few years ago and has now spread up to my waist through the knees and from my hands up thru my arms and into my shoulders and even left side of my face with a severe irchy pain! Have seen 14 different kinds of doctors and no has any answers for what I might take, as I am highly allergic to opiats and most meds. All the horrific pain seems to cause elevated blood pressure so it appears I am quickly approaching the end of my life.
I certainly have no regrets as I just turned 80 and all my fabulous children all came out to Colorado to celebrate for a whole week- biggest and best surprise ever!! So sad that there is not one thing that might help with alll the pain but it is what it is. I am an 80 year old Vietnam Veteran and was way up North in Vietnam where is was exposed to agent orange. MY sincere thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is battling this terrible condition in some form. Semper Fi.

Jump to this post

Hi, fred101 (@fred101)

Two things in your post caught my attention––well, three things, actually. No. 1, I'm also in Colorado. No. 2, I'll be 80 in a few months.

No. 3, I also was in Vietnam. My neurologist has puzzled over whether my time in Vietnam has had anything to do with my neuropathy. He's asked me about Agent Orange. I was mid-country, between Saigon and the Cambodian border; to the best of my knowledge, Agent Orange wasn't used in my area or the years I was there ('69-'70). All the same, my doctor remains curious. I've wished I could suggest a link, but I haven't been able to.

All the best, Fred!
Ray (@ray666)

REPLY

Can anyone advise of a therapy of different exercises for complete numbness of in my feet.

REPLY

Using a lotion with Aloe Vera and Cucumber extract that sells from the shelf in the grocery store, the numbness and shooting pain in my feet is slowly decreasing.

REPLY

Can anyone advise of a therapy of different EXERCISES for complete numbness of in my feet.

REPLY
@gba

Can anyone advise of a therapy of different EXERCISES for complete numbness of in my feet.

Jump to this post

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a webinar on exercises for neuropathy although I don't think they are specifically for complete numbness - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TBKbUWE7N4.

Here's another YouTube video on exercises for Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy in the Feet and Legs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvfMWb6jvT4

REPLY
@ray666

Hi, fred101 (@fred101)

Two things in your post caught my attention––well, three things, actually. No. 1, I'm also in Colorado. No. 2, I'll be 80 in a few months.

No. 3, I also was in Vietnam. My neurologist has puzzled over whether my time in Vietnam has had anything to do with my neuropathy. He's asked me about Agent Orange. I was mid-country, between Saigon and the Cambodian border; to the best of my knowledge, Agent Orange wasn't used in my area or the years I was there ('69-'70). All the same, my doctor remains curious. I've wished I could suggest a link, but I haven't been able to.

All the best, Fred!
Ray (@ray666)

Jump to this post

Hi, @ray666 ~
It is wonderful that your doctor remains curious. His mind is open, which is not something that one can say about all doctors. My husband served in Vietnam (and Philippines and Japan) in 1967-1968 and developed 4 different cancers, all recognized by the V.A. as having been caused by Agent Orange. He had total numbness in his feet which caused him to fall many times especially during the last year of his life. Doctors who still look at Agent Orange as the cause behind their veteran/patients' conditions are way up there on my list of competent, compassionate healthcare providers.
Peace to you! ~
Barb

REPLY
@ray666

Hi, fred101 (@fred101)

Two things in your post caught my attention––well, three things, actually. No. 1, I'm also in Colorado. No. 2, I'll be 80 in a few months.

No. 3, I also was in Vietnam. My neurologist has puzzled over whether my time in Vietnam has had anything to do with my neuropathy. He's asked me about Agent Orange. I was mid-country, between Saigon and the Cambodian border; to the best of my knowledge, Agent Orange wasn't used in my area or the years I was there ('69-'70). All the same, my doctor remains curious. I've wished I could suggest a link, but I haven't been able to.

All the best, Fred!
Ray (@ray666)

Jump to this post

Ray @ray666 and @fred101, I'm not sure if this is the link you were looking for Ray but thought I would share it to see if it may help.

The VA also has a public health article on the topic here
-- Peripheral Neuropathy and Agent Orange: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/peripheral_neuropathy.asp

REPLY
@gba

Anyone know of Therapy, Exercises for complete numbness, no feeling in feet? Thanks.

Jump to this post

I read a post on here from someone who said he cured his numbness 80% by switching to an anti inflammatory diet and exercising. I have never heard anyone make this Claim before So I have switched to this dieT and I bought myself a recumbent bike to get my legs moving. I will try anything and if I have any success I will post it here.

REPLY
@bckgeo47

Using a lotion with Aloe Vera and Cucumber extract that sells from the shelf in the grocery store, the numbness and shooting pain in my feet is slowly decreasing.

Jump to this post

would you please share the lotion you are using, I will try it. thank you.

REPLY
@bjk3

Hi, @ray666 ~
It is wonderful that your doctor remains curious. His mind is open, which is not something that one can say about all doctors. My husband served in Vietnam (and Philippines and Japan) in 1967-1968 and developed 4 different cancers, all recognized by the V.A. as having been caused by Agent Orange. He had total numbness in his feet which caused him to fall many times especially during the last year of his life. Doctors who still look at Agent Orange as the cause behind their veteran/patients' conditions are way up there on my list of competent, compassionate healthcare providers.
Peace to you! ~
Barb

Jump to this post

Hi, Barb (@bjk3)

I do applaud my doctors who remain curious long after a topical issue has left the front pages. Frankly, I was surprised to hear my neurologist ask if I had been exposed to Agent Orange. I was in Vietnam from 1969-1970, and he was asking me this in 2024, more than a half-century “after the fact.” I had been equally surprised a few years earlier when my neurologist’s PA asked (rather shyly) if I’d ever had a “drinking problem.” I had, but I’d assumed that over 30 years of sobriety had long since erased any fingerprints. A brain MRI (administered while trying to diagnose what turned out to be my peripheral neuropathy) revealed traces of my “ancient” overindulgence. So much for erasing fingerprints! 🙂

Ray (@ray666)

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.