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Neuropathy with numbness
This morning I was constipated, and I sat on the toilet for too long and my feet got numb. I walked up and down the hall with my walker several times and that kind of helped. Then I sat in my chair with the heating pad on for about an hour, and that helped a little my feet were numb from the balls of my feet to my toes. Pain? I guess I’ve just gotten used to it. I took gabapentin for about a year, but it didn’t do any good at all so I quit. I don’t know what to do so I’m asking you because you guys are where I get my best information. Anybody out there have any suggestions?
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That’s funny yeah I love crossing my legs, but it does bring on numbness and tingling so then I cross on the other way and that works for a couple minutes. It’s just one of those things I guess with neuropathy there’s a lot of just one of those things that we have to deal with But as far as the bathroom choose another place to check out your emails or read a newspaper. it’s funny sometimes my symptoms in evacuating my bowels run from constipation to extreme diarrhea again it’s just dealing with neuropathy
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2 ReactionsThank you. I will try the prune juice. I have to resort to laxatives after 3 days and no luck. This would be so much better if it works.
Remember to warm it up. It works great that way. Good luck and I hope it works for you.
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Really none of my business, but why do you put up with chronic constipation? Mira-Lax or a generic-of dissolves in any liquid & has no taste. Adjust dosage to get what is right for you. I only take about 1/2 suggested dosage, works really effortlessly!
Just doesn’t work very well for me.
Is there cure or improvement from numbness in feet from neuropathy?
Sitting on the toilet for too long can definitely cause this even in people without neuropathy you can compress nerves and cut circulation off a bit, which can leave your feet numb like that.
A few things that usually help:
don’t sit too long on the toilet (sounds simple but it matters a lot)
get up and move around like you did (walking is one of the best quick fixes)
change positions often when sitting in general
avoid long periods of stillness with pressure on your legs/hips
gentle leg movement + elevating feet when resting can help circulation
Constipation management also matters here because straining + long sitting makes the whole thing worse.
Since you already have neuropathy, it can make you more sensitive to things like pressure and circulation changes. Also not uncommon for meds like gabapentin not to help everyone much, so you’re definitely not alone there. If this starts happening more often or lasts longer after simple triggers like sitting, it’s probably worth getting it checked again just to rule out circulation or nerve compression issues.
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3 Reactions@mseb
Yes! Compression socks absolutely help with my circulation during the day. I wear the ones with the lightest compression so they are not difficult to get on.
I am fortunate to have an adjustable bed so I can raise the end a few inches when I sleep. A firm pillow under the mattress works too.
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1 Reaction@tessie63 Yeah, I know it's a year after your post, but I just now read this thread... I cracked up about the warm prune juice because it reminded me of a wonderfully kind nurse who gave me her 'Family Secret Recipe for Constipation'. (I was in rehab after having 5 vertebrae fused and you know what happened).. She said it's what she gives to her kids or any family member suffering with constipation.
This is her recipe:
Sierra Mist lemon-lime soft drink and prune juice, equal amounts in a not-tiny juice glass, warmed up. Drink it warm.
Yes, the warming up seems to make a difference.
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