Is there any help at all for foot numbness in PN

Posted by wascaly @wascaly, Oct 27, 2024

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.

@cit10jetjockey

I am one lucky person. My PN is in my legs and feet. I have numbness and tingling in my feet but zero pain. My balance has issues but I still get around ok. I have no idea why I am pain free and others suffer so much. The only thing PN did to me was to retire sooner than later. When you’re touching down on a 6000 ft runway at 120kts you need to get stopped and my left leg didn’t do a good job on the left brake. No cure for PN and there never will be.

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I, too, have PN but am blessed with no pain. However, the numbness mainly in my left foot is so debilitating, I can hardly walk. My balance is (scary) non-existent. It’s truly amazing I’ve only had one bad fall.
Very understandable you’re retired(?). I’d be very leery of not being able to hit the brake when necessary!

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@wascaly

I’ll certainly try Amazon for the foot pain, plus B12. What dosage of B12 do you take?
Also, thanks for letting me know about red-light therapy and the mats…..two more examples of expensive snake oil!

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1000 mg once a day. Dissolvable under the tongue

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Thanks….i’ll try both - can’t hurt!

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@cit10jetjockey

I am one lucky person. My PN is in my legs and feet. I have numbness and tingling in my feet but zero pain. My balance has issues but I still get around ok. I have no idea why I am pain free and others suffer so much. The only thing PN did to me was to retire sooner than later. When you’re touching down on a 6000 ft runway at 120kts you need to get stopped and my left leg didn’t do a good job on the left brake. No cure for PN and there never will be.

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Two years ago, I ran my pickup truck through a stand of thick bushes. My right foot wouldn't get off the gas pedal. ($5,000 in repairs) First I changed to minimalist shoes to have more feeling, but I still had issues. I put two bolts through my brake pedal, so when I feel like I stepped on a rock, I know where my foot is.

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@circawdm

We who have numbness sensations or pain or burning etc. in the feet need to do all we can to reduce inflammation in the body and to increase circulation in the legs and feet.

3 yrs. ago I had terrible feet issues from numbness to sharp pains, burning etc. I changed to an anti-inflammatory diet (which means no sugar, caffeine or processed foods or fried foods) - inflammation just irritates the nerves all over the body = and added anti-inflammatory supplements, and importantly, started exercises for the legs and feet that increase circulation. Walking when I can, using an elliptical pedaling device, using vibration pad, etc. It has to be done daily and same with diet and supplements, since they ALL work together to lower inflammation in the body and no "glucose spikes" (sugar spikes) which increase inflammation.

Today, 75-80% of my feet symptoms are gone. I also switched to a much better shoe, with good support, large toe box and soft sides and top. Increasing circulation to the legs and feet daily and eating a low-inflammatory diet are key to preventing old nerves from continuing to die and promoting the growth of new, healthy nerves.

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Hello again... I have started on your suggestions and would like to hear more from you if you ever read this. I have switched to an anti- inflammatory diet (lost 10 pounds already so yay for that)
I bought a recumbent bike and doing that 6 days a week building up a little bit longer as I go. Cut out caffeine and 90% of Sugar, the only sugar I am having is either from fruit or I do Still use creamer in my herbal Teas and Decaf. I am not sure of the cause of the neuropathy, my AIC is only one decimal over normal So pre diabetes by a hair, 5.7 (5.6 is within normal range) I have taken omeprazole for years So going to try and switch to famatidine.
You mentioned anti-inflammatory Supplements, which ones did you use?
I so much want my feet to get back to normal if there is possibility for this.
I hope you will see this and give more details on what you did because So many say the numbness cant be fixed and I think thats hogwash, they just haven't figured it out yet.
Thank you.

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Topricin cream
Cymbalta

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@amberstar

Hello again... I have started on your suggestions and would like to hear more from you if you ever read this. I have switched to an anti- inflammatory diet (lost 10 pounds already so yay for that)
I bought a recumbent bike and doing that 6 days a week building up a little bit longer as I go. Cut out caffeine and 90% of Sugar, the only sugar I am having is either from fruit or I do Still use creamer in my herbal Teas and Decaf. I am not sure of the cause of the neuropathy, my AIC is only one decimal over normal So pre diabetes by a hair, 5.7 (5.6 is within normal range) I have taken omeprazole for years So going to try and switch to famatidine.
You mentioned anti-inflammatory Supplements, which ones did you use?
I so much want my feet to get back to normal if there is possibility for this.
I hope you will see this and give more details on what you did because So many say the numbness cant be fixed and I think thats hogwash, they just haven't figured it out yet.
Thank you.

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Hi there ,
Where did you purchase your recumbent bike?
I’m thinking I may get one, especially during the winter months with snow and ice making it risky to walk

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I wrote you a nice reply and then the site erased it. Sigh.
Sorry this one will be short.
Amazon.
XVGVSV Recumbent Exercise Bike,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4QNVN38?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I checked reviews and picked this one based on those and price.
Not Suitable for someone over 5 foot 10 even though it says it is. Im 5 foot 6 and fine for me.

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@amberstar

I wrote you a nice reply and then the site erased it. Sigh.
Sorry this one will be short.
Amazon.
XVGVSV Recumbent Exercise Bike,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4QNVN38?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I checked reviews and picked this one based on those and price.
Not Suitable for someone over 5 foot 10 even though it says it is. Im 5 foot 6 and fine for me.

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Thanks for your response,
Unfortunately, all I can do for cardiovascular exercise is the recumbent bike, and, sadly, it’s done nothing for the numbness in my foot.

Thanks anyway!

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@wascaly

I, too, have PN but am blessed with no pain. However, the numbness mainly in my left foot is so debilitating, I can hardly walk. My balance is (scary) non-existent. It’s truly amazing I’ve only had one bad fall.
Very understandable you’re retired(?). I’d be very leery of not being able to hit the brake when necessary!

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If you are outside on your lawn and get down on your knees, are you able to get back up onto your feet without assistance?

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