How do you manage neuropathy and loss of balance and walking ability?

Posted by rachel44 @rachel44, May 18 2:02pm

How do you manage the situation when periferal neuropathy affects your balance and walking ability?

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Walking with a cane works just fine. Get a cane with a wide bottom and you’ll have a third leg.

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Profile picture for raebaby @raebaby

My feet hurt in shoes so I am always barefoot unless I'm workng in the yard or going out somewhere.. That makes sense, but I guess I'll stay barefoot

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@raebaby I’m with you on barefoot. Leather flip-flops help on gravel…

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Profile picture for dbamos1945 @dbamos1945

@bigal1956: Hi! I wish I had a cure I could suggest; however, I question if there is one. I have found lidocane type topicals very effective TEMPORARYILY! Some CBD creams, menthol based gels, Voleran cream, etc also give minimal amount of relief.
Balance and muscle/bone building exercise can help us from Falling! I do yoga (chair or floor) and am adding tai chi too! You may agree/disagree with my proactive approach, but then again you may see if this positively affects your neuropathy? We both know sitting on the couch doesn’t help! 🙂

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@dbamos1945 I was told by my neurologist on the first visit there is no treatment for a peripheral neuropathy nor is there a cure that said I have been very proactive in trying my best to maintain some muscle in my legs. I go to Aqua fitness five days a week and I’m ashamed to say very little extra. I must try harder I will try harder I think but after a certain age you have two hills to climb one is the aging issues and two is the neuropathy both of which it can appear much easier to just sit down. The latter is not the best way forward as sitting down for too long can compress the spine causing yep you got it more issues. my only advice to people is do what you can as much as you can and as often as you can. There’s nothing else on the horizon for the moment but I do live in perpetual hope that there soon will be good luck everyone

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Profile picture for William @willgranger1127

@raebaby I’m with you on barefoot. Leather flip-flops help on gravel…

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Thank you! I never thought of being able to put flip flops on quickly.

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Profile picture for raebaby @raebaby

Thank you! I never thought of being able to put flip flops on quickly.

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@raebaby Kinda hafta be careful with flip flops. They can trip you going up the stairs or navigating a small rug. I like how they sound going down the stairs… LOL!

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thanks for the warning. I won't get them as I've tripped over the hose in the last few weeks twice even in my sturdy shoes.

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Profile picture for William @willgranger1127

@raebaby Kinda hafta be careful with flip flops. They can trip you going up the stairs or navigating a small rug. I like how they sound going down the stairs… LOL!

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@willgranger1127 it’s all to me. How many different symptoms? There are per peripheral neuropathy. My first symptom came some years ago ago when summer came and once again again I put on my flip-flops and with the matter of a 2 to 3 minutes I could not feel my feet at all. It turned out. This was under the first symptoms of my peripheral neuropathy. Since the onset I have never been able to wear flip-flops so I am quite envious of those of you who can long may you continue.

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Does going barefoot do the same thing? Wearing shoes is a problem for me.

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You have to handle your increasing lack of balance with great care, forget how things were. You are now where you are if you cane helps use it. When doing things around the house you have to be considering the possibility of losing your balance and what you would grab to keep you upright. I know it’s a pain in the butt but it’s a greater pain. If you break a bone this is your new reality as is mine we have to get used to it but life is still good. Good luck for the future.

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Respect it, be careful, keep pushing, don’t overdo, use whatever aids you need. Pride is misplaced; if you need to use a cane or walker or some such, do. Even if walking has gotten to be a real chore, use your muscles in other ways like floor exercisers, chair yoga. It’s regrettable and a real drag but doesn’t need to ruin your life. You can still stay healthy. This how I now see it after being balance-challenged for 10 years.

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