Numbness in my feet

Posted by jb2610 @jb2610, Apr 17 11:53am

Have had numbness in my feet for the last 10 years. Doctor says he can't do anything about it because I don't have any pain just numbness.

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You need to get a referral to a neurologist. Just because there isn't any pain now doesn't mean there won't be any in the future.

REPLY

Hello @jb2610, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @mrmacabre and others. I've had neuropathy with only numbness and some minor tingling since my late 40s but only bothered to seek a diagnosis in 2016. I shared my neuropathy story along with others in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. There is also another discussion where you can meet others that have mentioned only having numbness with their neuropathy symptoms.
-- Neuropathy: Numbness only, no pain - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-numbness-only-no-pain/

I am not a doctor and have no medical background or training but I think the doctor is right that there are no available medications that can help with the numbness, but they can help with the pain from neuropathy. That said, even the medications that are available may not help everyone. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a lot of good information on available treatments here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/therapies/.

Have you seen a neurologist or had a nerve conduction study or other diagnostic tests?

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@jb2610 Like John Bishop, I have only numbness and fortunately, experience no pain. I first diagnosed around 2016 and 9 years ago I had no pain, similar to you. I went to Mayo in MN in 2020 and was told not much could be done about this. So, in a way, sounds like your doctor is right.

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@jb2610
Do you have diabetes or a heart/circulation problem? Have you had a neurologist test you for small fiber neuropathy with a skin punch biopsy?

Have you had an ankle brachial test to check circulation? Have you had neuropathy bloodwork done to check for vitamin deficiencies or toxicities and other abnormal levels/results?

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@dlydailyhope

@jb2610
Do you have diabetes or a heart/circulation problem? Have you had a neurologist test you for small fiber neuropathy with a skin punch biopsy?

Have you had an ankle brachial test to check circulation? Have you had neuropathy bloodwork done to check for vitamin deficiencies or toxicities and other abnormal levels/results?

Jump to this post

I don't have diabetes. I do have a pacemaker but have never had a circulation problem. Have had a treadmill nuclear stress test. No problem there? I do have a physical every year with a complete blood work up but not sure about vitamin deficiency. I'm 83 and in pretty good shape except for my numbness in my feet.

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@njed

@jb2610 Like John Bishop, I have only numbness and fortunately, experience no pain. I first diagnosed around 2016 and 9 years ago I had no pain, similar to you. I went to Mayo in MN in 2020 and was told not much could be done about this. So, in a way, sounds like your doctor is right.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply. Just something I will live with, I guess? Could be worse!!!!!

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@johnbishop

Hello @jb2610, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @mrmacabre and others. I've had neuropathy with only numbness and some minor tingling since my late 40s but only bothered to seek a diagnosis in 2016. I shared my neuropathy story along with others in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. There is also another discussion where you can meet others that have mentioned only having numbness with their neuropathy symptoms.
-- Neuropathy: Numbness only, no pain - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-numbness-only-no-pain/

I am not a doctor and have no medical background or training but I think the doctor is right that there are no available medications that can help with the numbness, but they can help with the pain from neuropathy. That said, even the medications that are available may not help everyone. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a lot of good information on available treatments here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/therapies/.

Have you seen a neurologist or had a nerve conduction study or other diagnostic tests?

Jump to this post

Thanks for the info. I have been too a neurologist and had a nerve conduction study. No help! Will just live with it. Could be worse I guess.

REPLY
@jb2610

I don't have diabetes. I do have a pacemaker but have never had a circulation problem. Have had a treadmill nuclear stress test. No problem there? I do have a physical every year with a complete blood work up but not sure about vitamin deficiency. I'm 83 and in pretty good shape except for my numbness in my feet.

Jump to this post

@jb2610
You may want to have your vitamin b12 and b6 checked. Deficiencies or toxicities of B vitamins can cause neuropathy.

Do you take a multivitamin?

REPLY
@jb2610

I don't have diabetes. I do have a pacemaker but have never had a circulation problem. Have had a treadmill nuclear stress test. No problem there? I do have a physical every year with a complete blood work up but not sure about vitamin deficiency. I'm 83 and in pretty good shape except for my numbness in my feet.

Jump to this post

@jb2610
You also may want a mri of your lumbar spine to see if you have any compression causing foot numbness. I had numbness in both feet that was tied to my lumbar spine and it improved after I had surgery.

I also take alpha Lipoic acid and acetyl l carnitine supplements plus magnesium that helps my neuropathy.

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I also agree you definitely need to see an experienced and knowlaegeable neurologist. You are definitely though in much better luck than me since I started having neuropathy last year and I am already at the point of major pain in my feet where I am unable to walk. I wish you the best.

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