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what is like to experience neuropathy as we age
Neuropathy | Last Active: Jul 7 9:13am | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with axonal PN two years ago.
No pain, luckily, as it affects the nerves but not the nerve sheath.
Balance not so good, walking is a bit wavy on rough ground, and if I'm standing on a stool for instance I wobble about.
I have the 'tight socks' feeling, more so some days than others. Some night cramps which were quite bad, worse on nights when I've had alcohol although I'm not a heavy drinker. Helped by drinking half a glass of water before bed.
My legs/feet have reduced feeling below the knee.
It does not seem to be progressing upwards thank goodness.
The specialist says it may intensify but not necessarily progress upwards.
I think it important to do some regular exercises to preserve the strength in one's legs. Squats, especially.
What does the future hold? I suspect that none of us, nor our specialists, can really know.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with axonal PN two years ago. No pain, luckily, as it affects the..."
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Hello, v8auto (@v8auto)
We appear to have a similar sort of PN: no pain, but balance woes. I agree: maintaining leg strength is paramount. Rebuilding leg strength once it's been lost can take a long, long time, but it's critical to keep working at it. In my case, "keeping at it" has proven to be doubling challenging as I've severe arthritis in my left knee. (My right knee is already a prosthetic.) Things like squats, thrusts, and sit-to-stands can be really painful. Nevertheless, believing in the importance of leg strength keeps me at it.
You mention " … if I'm standing on a stool for instance I wobble about." That made my eyes pop! You're actually able to stand on a stool? I had to give that up decades ago––in fact, your mentioning this recalls a play I did in the early 2000's, "Nicholas Nickleby." I played Nicholas's cruel uncle Ralph. The script called for me (trigger warning!) for Ralph to hang himself in the final act. The director wanted me to mount a stool to do this. I tried. I couldn't––I couldn't believe how unstable I was. I saw my PCP about this. She thought: a vestibular problem! What followed were days and days of examinations for a vestibular problem––unless the doctors said, It'll probably go away in time. Well, it didn't go away. I now believe Ralph's imbalance on that stool was an early sign of Ray's PN. It would be 20 years or more before it would be diagnosed as such.
You ask "What does the future hold?" I don't know. All we can do is keep doing our squats (ouch! 🙂 ) and hope for the best
I wish you well, v8auto.
Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)