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Non-diabetic neuropathy
Before I tell my story, let me state that I was a daily wine drinker for several years. My neuropathy started in my feet in 2017. It did not progress beyond my feet for several years. I stopped drinking in 2023, and at that point, my neuropathy was still confined to my feet. My doctor said that alcohol cessation should stop the progression of the neuropathy. I also started on a weight loss drug at that time. I weighed 157 lbs and I am 5’2”. The medicine was a success. I lost 54 lbs in five months, but also lost a large amount of muscle. I continued on the medication on the advice of my doctor. She said I would need to stay on the meds in order to maintain weight loss. Long story short, I was not hungry and from March, 2023 until February, 2024, I ate nothing but fruit, popcorn and salads. I ate very little protein during that year. Anyway, about six weeks after starting the medication, I noticed my knees felt weak. I spoke to my GP about it, and she said it was not associated with the medication. However, I became weaker and my neuropathy went into hyperdrive. I finally took myself off the medication in February, 2024, started eating a normal diet. I was able to see a neurologist at Vanderbilt and she said my neuropathy was probably caused by several factors, one being alcohol but also rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and possibly idiopathic. That was in October. She also said my neuropathy should slow or cease progression with the modifications I made. However, my neuropathy is getting worse. I now have numbness all the way up my thighs, and, in the last two months, numbness in my rear. I am also developing a twitch on the left side of my face. I feel so discouraged and alone. It feels good to have a group of people that understand.
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I went to a chiropractor in late 2018 and early 2019, he did treatments which did not help at all. His conclusion was that the PN was not coming from my back and suggested I not return to his office or any other chiropractor. He was an honest doctor my daughter knew very well.
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1 ReactionI had spine surgery a few years ago. I had to have stabilizers put in and spacers in my spine. As a result my right foot is a drop foot and have numbness and neuropathy. However from
a car accident my right foot was shattered and it was put back together. Two months later I had to have it fused, so it’s at a right angle all the time. This actually helped with the drop foot. I’ve broken my big toes from stubbing it so many times! Anyway I don’t have that awful sciatica pain anymore. I still have a curve in my spine.
Yes even though it was coming from my spine there was not much they could do about it. Best wishes
I have recently started seeing a podiatrist becasue I cannot bend down to cut my tonails. He is also very knowledgeable about peripheral neuropathy in the ankle and foot. I highly recommend seeing a podiatrist and medicare covers it when ordered by your GP.
i have issues from L3 to S1 which the neurosurgeon refers to as a mess, not the best medical term but he did explain the issues. Refused to operate, said I might be worse off. Since the PN is not coming from the back, I've decided to leave things well enough alone.
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3 ReactionsI'll never let a chiropractor put his hands on me, my osteoarthritis can't be treated by that kind of therapy. Degenerative joint disease, along with Idiopathic Poly Neuropathy, is slowly making it harder and harder to do simple things like walking, or getting in/out of the car, or even driving now.
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1 ReactionI have PN and do not have diabetes I have regular bloodwork which shows my blood sugar to be normal.
Yes this is actually a doctor of Chiropractic in the hospital itself. Not just one you would walk up to. Doctor of Chiropractic in the hospital only. Agree
I have had peripheral neuropathy for years. While I was taking some capsules that have mega
doses of fruits and vegetables to help with my fibromyalgia I was surprised that after 6 weeks I could feel my toes better and my hip bursitis was gone. I have been taking the ones that have berries in them. So I have continued with them. They are produced by a company called Juice Plus. I ran out of them a while ago and kept forgetting to order more. (I don't sell them). I have learned my lesson! My feet and legs started going numb. My older brother can't feel his feet or legs! He doesn't want to take them. I have to take more than the normal amount to have success. I take 6 now and the normal amount is only 2. I'm 78 and I have had to increase the amount over the years. FYI a friend mentioned that he read that too much insulin in our body causes the numbness. I am hypoglycemic which means that my body does produce too much insulin and my blood sugar goes down. What these berries do is improve our veinus system, our veins and arteries. They work on the cellular level so it takes 6 weeks or so to see or feel a change. I hope that this helps someone.
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2 Reactions@micdan68t Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry you have been through so much with your spine and foot. Did your foot not heal properly which caused you to need an ankle fixation surgery? That sounds like a very big recovery.
I am a spine patient with a cervical fusion and had a bad ankle fracture and I've recovered from that. My surgeon pretty much promised me ankle problems in the future due to arthritis from the injury. I'm doing everything I can to prevent that if I can. I'm glad you don't have sciatica anymore.
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