Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Hi Barb, I'm 81 years old, live pretty much alone (58 year old son with disability in basement), no dog but 2 budgies. I haven't had a fall in the last 3 years. But in the 2 years prior to that, I fell 4 times. So, I tried to exam what I was doing just prior to the fall....I was walking and talking to a friend and not paying attention to my walking. Each of those times I was only doing a quarter turn but realized that in doing so I was shifting all my weight onto one leg. It doesn't matter which leg, it's that the support leg is already unstable. I feel I need to slow down so I can concentrate on changing direction. In the house, I usually walk barefoot because I have a better sense of feeling about where my feet are/how they're positioned. However, my feet seem to go through cycles of cold and hot, so when my feel get cold, I put on thin, smooth cotton socks. I was using suede slippers with a lambswool lining, but my feet became hot too quickly. Also, I had a lack of judgement as to where my feet were and was always tripping over something or hitting a table leg. For me, barefoot allows for better foot placement because I actually still have some feeling left in toes and foot bottom. Outside, I wear flexible runners, sandals or boots. I live in Northern Ontario, so we have cold wet weather from October to May. Also, I use a cane year round. It really helps with my balance. A few people have mentioned buying a walker. I worked in a long term care hospital, and from experience with my mother, friends and myself, unless you have some knowledge from employment or elsewhere, I suggest you go to a store that sells mobility aids because there are many different kinds of walkers which are used for different purposes and physical needs. I have 3 walkers. I needed an aluminum one after hip surgery. I don't need a walker around the house, but I find it useful for standing first thing in the morning. I have a walker with a seat for outside when you don't know where you will find a seat. I took it to Paris and used it all the time there. I also have a very lightweight one without a seat which is easy to lift in and out of my car. It's great for the mall or a walk along the boardwalk by the lake because I know there are lots of seats there. I started taking a combo of gabapentin (pregablin) and tramadol about 20 years ago for fibromyalgia. My doctor (at that time) said that tramadol and an antidepressant, Duloxetine, work synergistically. The gabapentin is widely used as a neuropathic pain medication. I'm not sure why people take an opioid for neuropathic pain. My feet are ultra sensitive, so thin cotton socks and soft, breathable shoes (leather) are best for me. Truthfully, I hate being "old". Caring for myself just takes up so much of my time that I don't get to do many fun things anymore.😫

Hi Barb, I'm 81 years old, live pretty much alone (58 year old son with disability in basement), no dog but 2 budgies. I haven't had a fall in the last 3 years. But in the 2 years prior to that, I fell 4 times. So, I tried to exam what I was doing just prior to the fall....I was walking and talking to a friend and not paying attention to my walking. Each of those times I was only doing a quarter turn but realized that in doing so I was shifting all my weight onto one leg. It doesn't matter which leg, it's that the support leg is already unstable. I feel I need to slow down so I can concentrate on changing direction. In the house, I usually walk barefoot because I have a better sense of feeling about where my feet are/how they're positioned. However, my feet seem to go through cycles of cold and hot, so when my feel get cold, I put on thin, smooth cotton socks. I was using suede slippers with a lambswool lining, but my feet became hot too quickly. Also, I had a lack of judgement as to where my feet were and was always tripping over something or hitting a table leg. For me, barefoot allows for better foot placement because I actually still have some feeling left in toes and foot bottom. Outside, I wear flexible runners, sandals or boots. I live in Northern Ontario, so we have cold wet weather from October to May. Also, I use a cane year round. It really helps with my balance. A few people have mentioned buying a walker. I worked in a long term care hospital, and from experience with my mother, friends and myself, unless you have some knowledge from employment or elsewhere, I suggest you go to a store that sells mobility aids because there are many different kinds of walkers which are used for different purposes and physical needs. I have 3 walkers. I needed an aluminum one after hip surgery. I don't need a walker around the house, but I find it useful for standing first thing in the morning. I have a walker with a seat for outside when you don't know where you will find a seat. I took it to Paris and used it all the time there. I also have a very lightweight one without a seat which is easy to lift in and out of my car. It's great for the mall or a walk along the boardwalk by the lake because I know there are lots of seats there. I started taking a combo of gabapentin (pregablin) and tramadol about 20 years ago for fibromyalgia. My doctor (at that time) said that tramadol and an antidepressant, Duloxetine, work synergistically. The gabapentin is widely used as a neuropathic pain medication. I'm not sure why people take an opioid for neuropathic pain. My feet are ultra sensitive, so thin cotton socks and soft, breathable shoes (leather) are best for me. Truthfully, I hate being "old". Caring for myself just takes up so much of my time that I don't get to do many fun things anymore.😫

Mine is chemotherapy induced; Stage II ovarian cancer. Lyrica and duloxetine have been prescribed by my neurologist. I would say mine is basically tolerable. I take 6 Lyrica and 2 duloxetine throughout the day. It feels like my left foot is swelling past the size of my shoe sometimes when I am at work. I definitely know when I have forgotten a dose. Balance is poor, but I try not to run into doors and corners in walls. Some days are better than others.

I like your theory of one. I'm 81 and always been a multitasker. I mention my age because I'm feeling the pressure of time to complete certain things eg family genealogy in order to pass it on to someone in the younger generation. This pressure is causing me a great deal of anxiety. Taking your approach, it might help to complete these projects that are so important to me.

Hello again,
53 year old male. Peripheral and Femoral Neuropathy severe pain, swelling, balance, falling and forget about stairs or incline-declines. I was a US Army Infantry grunt and now this. Very difficult to live with, sleep with, stay positive with . Has anyone researched THC alternatives?
I am currently on Gabapentin, BelBuca and recently Buprenorphine. The issue? Dr. is simply increasing dosage to manage pain, which is sending me straight to the poor house. Is medical Tetrahydrocannabinol an option? I am eligible for Medicare at the end of this year and frankly scared out of my mind that SSDI will be revoked and/or will not be as affective as medical pharmaceuticals.
Paralysis by overanalyzing? Any one have any experience in this area? I feel if I simply ask my Dr's they will not help me because their is no incentive for them to not prescribe meds... 🙂
Thanks
TW